less in number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less in number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, particularly when referring to a smaller count of items or people. Example: "There were less in number than we had anticipated at the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In CV condition, the spots are bigger but less in number than in OV condition.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Moreover –OH present on the surface of the core is less in number when core is covered by shell.

Nanoscale Research Letters

However, the plasmon resonance study (Fig. 3) showed a red shift, indicating the presence of larger particles (Fig. 2b), though they were less in number (Fig. 2a).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Even when they exist, they are less in number and lower in error than the ones obtained by the standard method (compare Figure 19a and 19b).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This increasing pattern in is directly relational to number of PUs ; that is, when the available PUs in an SU's neighborhood are less in number, the message exchange between the users is not high.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Currently, undifferentiated cells are found in all tissue and term as local stem cells which are quiescent in nature and less in number under normal healthy conditions but activate upon injury and repair the tissue or organs via automated activating mechanism.

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The triangular shaped particles are less in numbers.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The less in numbers but more significant in terms of functions has made the nsSNPs an ideal marker type in complex trait association analysis.

BMC Plant Biology

SEM analysis revealed the presence of fibre cell initials in the fl mutant, though very less in numbers as compared to WT. Fibre initials could be seen two days before anthesis (−2 dpa) in the WT and were more prominent at 0 dpa.

BMC Genomics

OxyContin prescriptions have more or less doubled in number each year since its release; the company's revenues from the pill jumped to $1.14 billion in 2000 from $55 million in 1996.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is worth noting that after one day after immunization, there was even less variation in number of bacilli recovered in the lung (Fig. 1A).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing countable items, consider using "fewer in number" instead of "less in number" for enhanced grammatical precision. While "less" is acceptable in many contexts, "fewer" is strictly correct for countable nouns.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is grammatically appropriate. Remember that "less" is generally used for uncountable nouns (e.g., less water), while "fewer" is used for countable nouns (e.g., fewer coins). For example, instead of saying "less coins", say "fewer coins".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less in number" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating a smaller quantity or count compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less in number" is a commonly used phrase that indicates a smaller quantity or count. While acceptable in most contexts, the grammatically precise alternative "fewer in number" is often preferred when referring to countable items, according to Ludwig AI's analysis. The phrase is frequently found in scientific and news-related content, serving the purpose of quantitatively comparing different entities. When aiming for utmost precision, especially in formal writing, consider using "fewer" instead of "less" before countable nouns. Remember, "less" is usually reserved for uncountable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer in number

This alternative is a grammatically precise synonym, often preferred when referring to countable items.

smaller in quantity

This alternative focuses on the amount, suitable when the exact count is not as important as the overall size.

reduced in quantity

This alternative emphasizes the act of decreasing the amount.

diminished in amount

Similar to 'reduced', but suggests a more gradual decrease.

lower in count

A straightforward alternative focusing on the numerical value.

scarcer in supply

Highlights the limited availability of something.

a minority

Indicates a smaller group or portion compared to the whole.

dwindling in size

Emphasizes the process of becoming smaller over time.

depleted in stock

Suggests that the available amount has been significantly reduced.

in short supply

Focuses on the limited availability of something, often due to demand or scarcity.

FAQs

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

Use "fewer in number" when referring to countable items. For example, "There are "fewer in number" of apples than oranges." "Less in number" is more appropriate for uncountable items.

What are some alternatives to saying "less in number"?

You can use alternatives like "smaller in quantity", "reduced in quantity", or simply "fewer" depending on the context.

Is "less in number" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less in number" is generally considered grammatically acceptable, especially in informal contexts. However, for strict grammatical correctness, ""fewer in number"" is preferred when referring to countable items.

What's the difference between "less in number" and "smaller amount"?

"Less in number" specifically refers to a lower count of individual items. "Smaller amount" is more general and can refer to a reduced quantity of something, whether countable or uncountable.