Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

less hurdle

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less hurdle" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of reducing obstacles or difficulties, but the correct expression would typically be "fewer hurdles." Example: "We need to find a way to create fewer hurdles for our team to achieve their goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is one less hurdle for Adani's highly contested plans, after its Australian chief complained last week that delays in government approvals were "incentivising" green activists to plot further legal challenges to stymie the company's progress.

News & Media

The Guardian

Thanks to the McCaskill-Bond amendment, mergers that produce value and create synergies have one less hurdle to leap.

News & Media

Forbes

Because the company is already registered in the federal procurement system, states have one less hurdle to overcome if they choose to work with Centrify while taking advantage of federal assistance seeking to bolster state election security.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That standard of proof is less a hurdle than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard required for criminal convictions.

News & Media

The New York Times

But there may be a less obvious hurdle that Mr. Giuliani has to overcome: Whether he is too much of a New Yorker for the rest of the country.

News & Media

The New York Times

As Libya continues on its path toward a newly reborn nation, and the profound complication of state building begins, Libyans will face another, less visible hurdle; reconciling those deep-seated societal scars resulting from more than 40 years of oppression and fear.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Only after these agonies did the Parliament Act of 1911, which subjugated the Lords to the Commons and began the erosion of the hereditary principle, become law.A century later, the heirs to the old Liberal Party face scarcely less daunting hurdles as they try to finish the job of Lords reform.

News & Media

The Economist

There are less regulatory hurdles, so we will see the contract space get disrupted first".

News & Media

TechCrunch

Back then, it was much cheaper to produce it because there were less legal hurdles, he says.

News & Media

Vice

The use of MSC-derived EV has potential advantages over the use of the cells, including the theoretical absence of risk of malignant transformation and less regulatory hurdles for clinical application, since it is a cell-free therapeutic product [ 34].

Mr. Bowser had just finished directing several "Saturday Night Live" greatest-hits episodes for NBC, so money was now less of a hurdle.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fewer hurdles" instead of "less hurdle". "Fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is for uncountable nouns. Hurdles are countable.

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns like "hurdles", "problems", or "challenges". Always use "fewer" for countable items. For example, write "fewer problems" instead of "less problems".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less hurdle" functions as a noun phrase, intending to describe a reduction in difficulty or obstacles. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect because "hurdle" is a countable noun, so "fewer" is the correct term.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less hurdle" might appear in some contexts, Ludwig AI clarifies that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct expression is "fewer hurdles", as "hurdles" is a countable noun. Although examples exist, adhering to proper grammar ensures clarity and credibility in writing. Always opt for "fewer hurdles" or consider alternatives like "reduced difficulty" or "easier challenge" for more precise communication. Remember, choosing the correct word demonstrates attention to detail and strengthens the overall impact of your message.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "less hurdle"?

The correct way to express this idea is to use "fewer hurdles". "Fewer" is used with countable nouns, while "less" is used with uncountable nouns.

When should I use "fewer" instead of "less"?

"Fewer" should be used with countable nouns (things you can count individually), such as hurdles, problems, or people. "Less" should be used with uncountable nouns (things you can't count individually), such as water, time, or effort.

What are some alternatives to saying "less hurdle"?

Instead of "less hurdle", you can say "fewer obstacles", "reduced difficulty", or "easier challenge" depending on the specific context.

Is "less of a hurdle" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less of a hurdle" is grammatically correct. In this case, you are referring to the degree or extent to which something is a hurdle, rather than the hurdle itself being countable. For example: "Money was now "less of a hurdle"."

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: