less impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

"less impressive" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is not as impressive as something else. For example, "The performers at the last show were less impressive compared to the ones I saw last weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less impressive.

The New York Times - Sports

The truth was less impressive.

The Economist

Dinner was less impressive, however.

The New York Times

Monreal was less impressive defensively.

The Guardian - Sport

Less impressive was his contribution.

Independent

The service is less impressive.

The New York Times

My reaction is less impressive.

The New York Times

Entrees were less impressive.

The New York Times

The data on unemployment are less impressive.

The Economist

Pendleton's bronze was hardly less impressive.

Independent

This year's protest may be less impressive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less impressive", ensure you're providing a clear point of comparison. What is it less impressive than?

Common error

Avoid using "less impressive" without specifying what you are comparing it to. For example, instead of saying "The results were less impressive", specify "The results were less impressive than the previous study."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less impressive" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that does not evoke as much admiration, respect, or positive feeling as something else, often explicitly or implicitly stated. Ludwig examples showcase usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less impressive" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to make a comparison, indicating that something is not as remarkable or effective as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. To maximize clarity, it's best practice to specify the point of comparison. While alternatives like "not as remarkable" or "somewhat underwhelming" exist, "less impressive" provides a balanced and widely understood way to express a tempered evaluation. The frequency of the phrase across authoritative sources highlights its widespread acceptance and utility in conveying nuanced opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite as good

Simple comparison indicating a lower quality.

not as remarkable

Emphasizes the lack of noteworthiness or distinction.

somewhat underwhelming

Highlights the failure to meet expectations.

of a lower standard

Highlights a decrease in excellence or grade.

not particularly striking

Focuses on the lack of visual or aesthetic appeal.

subpar

Indicates performance or quality below the expected level.

rather ordinary

Stresses the commonness or lack of uniqueness.

not so significant

Underlines the reduced importance or consequence.

a bit disappointing

Expresses a mild sense of dissatisfaction.

palpably weaker

Emphasizes noticeable inferiority or frailty.

FAQs

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

Use "less impressive" to indicate that something does not have as strong or positive effect as something else. For instance, "His second performance was "less impressive" than his first."

What are some alternatives to "less impressive"?

You can use alternatives like "not as remarkable", "somewhat underwhelming", or "not particularly striking" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "less impressive" than?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the point of comparison makes your statement clearer and more impactful. Saying "The sequel was "less impressive" than the original" is more informative than just saying "The sequel was "less impressive"".

What's the difference between "less impressive" and "unimpressive"?

"Less impressive" implies a comparison to something else, whereas "unimpressive" stands alone to describe something that fails to make a positive impact. Something that is "less impressive" still may be good, but "unimpressive" by definition is just not good at all.