less immense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less immense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the size or extent of something to indicate that it is not as large or significant as something else. Example: "The mountain was less immense than I had imagined, making the hike feel more manageable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps the monarchy is there precisely to make even convinced republicans wonder whether irrational symbolism on an outlandish scale, and an immutability scarcely less immense, doesn't satisfy some deep human need.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And the vista itself, however grand, is less shockingly immense and overwhelming than those in the more famous areas of the park.

The New York Times - Arts

The figures are larger than those in many of Friederich's best-known paintings, and the natural setting is less overwhelmingly immense, but the artist's characteristic religiosity, leavened here with touches of urbanity and implausibility, is firmly in place.

The New York Times - Arts

The tragedy of Lessing's father's lost and wounded generation became not less, but more immense to her with time, and his bitterness more prophetically haunting.

The Guardian - Books

Cirque du Soleil's new steampunk-inspired show "Kurios" relies less on its performers' immense physical talents and more on the artistry of illusion crafted by writer and director Michel Laprise.

Huffington Post

The storm around LIBOR is less intense than it was but its consequences are immense.

The Economist

Starting out from less than nowhere, he achieved immense fame, wealth and success, and lived well past the eventual fading of the epic-length career.

The New York Times

When "Family Romance" was shown at the Whitney Biennial in 1993, it attracted less comment than Ray's immense "Firetruck," a toy fire engine enlarged to the size of a real one and parked outside the museum on Madison Avenue.

The New Yorker

But few landmarks are perfect, and with nearly every work representing an artist's career, a medium's proliferation or a region's style, this exhibition may be less a landmark than an immense landscape whose topography is only beginning to be known.

The New York Times - Arts

There are difficulties, I know, but the gains are immense in terms of cost, in terms of less pollution, less log jams, less accidents on the roads.

EU Parlament

"The Dalai Lama wants to develop the resources of his country, which are immense, and to enter into less trammelled relations with the outer world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less immense", ensure the context clearly establishes what the comparison is being made against. For example, "The task seemed less immense after breaking it down into smaller steps."

Common error

Avoid using "less immense" to describe something without a point of comparison. Saying "The problem is less immense" is vague. Instead, clarify what it's less immense than. A clearer phrasing would be, "The problem is less immense than we initially feared."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less immense" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that it possesses a smaller degree of immensity than something else. This phrase allows for nuanced comparisons, as shown in Ludwig's example where "less immense" signifies a reduced sense of scale.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less immense" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, construction used to indicate a reduced degree of greatness or scale. According to Ludwig, it functions as a comparative adjective phrase and is used to express a diminished sense of magnitude. While "less immense" is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, its appropriate use requires a clear comparison to another entity. Alternatives such as "smaller" or "not as vast" may provide simpler substitutes in some contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this expression, making it a viable option for nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller

Indicates a decrease in size or magnitude, offering a direct and simpler alternative.

not as large

Expresses a comparative lack of size, suitable for contexts where direct comparison is intended.

not as vast

Similar to "not as large", but emphasizes the scale or expanse being considered.

relatively small

Highlights the limited size in relation to something else, implying a comparative perspective.

somewhat smaller

Adds a degree of uncertainty or approximation to the reduced size, suitable for nuanced descriptions.

not so expansive

Focuses on the limited coverage or reach, suitable for discussions of scope or distribution.

comparatively tinier

Emphasizes the reduced size through the use of "tinier", suggesting a notable difference in magnitude.

a bit reduced

Highlights the act of reduction or diminishment, emphasizing the change in size.

not quite gigantic

Implies that the subject approaches but does not reach a state of gigantism; suitable for cases where hyperbole is present.

decreased in size

Directly states that a reduction in size has occurred, suitable for technical or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "less immense" in a sentence?

Use "less immense" to compare the size, scale, or impact of something relative to something else. For instance, "The challenge appeared "less immense" after we divided it into smaller tasks".

What are some alternatives to using "less immense"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "smaller", "not as vast", or "relatively small". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "less immense" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less immense" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard comparative structure of using "less" with an adjective to indicate a lesser degree of that quality.

What is the difference between "less immense" and "smaller"?

"Smaller" is a more direct and commonly used term for indicating a reduction in size. "Less immense" is more formal and emphasizes a reduction in the feeling or perception of greatness or scale, rather than just physical size.