less indispensable

USAGE SUMMARY

'less indispensable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not absolutely necessary, but still has some importance. For example: "Though the task was tedious, I found it less indispensable than I had originally assumed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Röhm, who became less indispensable once Hitler took power, was slaughtered in 1934, during the Night of the Long Knives, the first great orgy of Nazi bloodlust.

The New Yorker

Charles Mingus, bassist, bandleader and badass, recorded some of the most innovative, urgent and essential music in any genre, and his autobiography, Beneath the Underdog, is no less indispensable.

The Guardian - Books

Its ranking well below those of Facebook, Wikipedia, and Yelp implies that consumers find it less indispensable than those of us living in the tech world.

TechCrunch

Many are now more or less indispensable, primarily because of their importance in tiny, high-powered and extremely durable magnets used in everything from iPhone components to the Pentagon's missile guidance and satellite communications systems.

Huffington Post

Better continuity, competent personnel and offering respite services are important steps in helping the family to feel less indispensable.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is also an argument for making sure that he is less than indispensable to the administration.

The Economist

"Cheney is seen now as slightly less the indispensable man as he was at the outset of the administration," said Thomas Mann, a political analyst at the Brookings Institution with deep contacts in both parties.

The New York Times

It is, none the less, the indispensable guide to a classic of English literature, and no one who has ever wondered about the meaning of 'Jabberwocky' should fail to include on their Christmas list.

The Guardian - Books

As the power of Solid State Lighting (SSL) system continuously rising and consequently high temperature occurred in the light source, active cooling solutions with controlling were widely used and smart controlling was indispensable for less energy consuming.

Microelectronics Reliability

Or maybe readers would prefer a slightly less expansive position than Indispensable America.

Huffington Post

In at least one appearance three years ago, Hagel indicated that, in fact, he sees drones in much the same way that Brennan and Obama do: as an indispensable, and less risky, component of America's war on terrorism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less indispensable" to subtly convey a shifting degree of importance rather than an outright dismissal of value.

Common error

Avoid using "less indispensable" when you mean something is completely unnecessary. The phrase implies a reduced level of necessity, not a total absence of it. If something has no importance at all, use phrases like "unnecessary" or "irrelevant" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less indispensable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced level of necessity or essentiality. As Ludwig indicates, it's grammatically sound and used to show something is not as vital as before.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less indispensable" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for describing something that has diminished in importance but retains some value. As the examples on Ludwig show, it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as science-related contexts. While not extremely common, according to Ludwig, it provides a nuanced way to express a change in necessity. Remember that using alternatives like "less essential" or "not as crucial" can help tailor your message for greater clarity. Avoid using the phrase when something is completely unnecessary, as it implies a reduced, not absent, level of necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as crucial

Emphasizes reduced criticality or importance.

not as vital

Focuses on the diminished necessity for survival or proper functioning.

less essential

Highlights a decrease in fundamental necessity.

less critical

Underscores reduced importance for success or avoidance of failure.

not strictly necessary

Indicates something is optional rather than compulsory.

not quite as important

Directly compares the level of importance to something else.

less needed

Focuses on a reduction in the requirement or demand for something.

somewhat optional

Suggests a degree of choice or non-compulsion.

of secondary importance

Positions the item as lower in priority or significance.

marginally necessary

Implies necessity only in certain conditions or to a limited extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "less indispensable" to describe something that has diminished in importance or necessity. For example, "With the new software update, the manual process became "less indispensable"".

What's a good alternative to "less indispensable"?

Alternatives include "less essential", "not as crucial", or "not strictly necessary", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "less indispensable"?

Yes, "less indispensable" is grammatically correct. It means something is not as necessary as it once was, but still may have some value or function.

What's the difference between "indispensable" and "less indispensable"?

"Indispensable" means absolutely necessary or essential. "Less indispensable" means something is still useful or needed to some degree, but not absolutely essential anymore.