less intelligent than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less intelligent than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the intelligence of one person or thing to another, indicating that the first is not as intelligent as the second. Example: "In the debate, she argued that her opponent was less intelligent than he claimed to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The intelligence community doesn't have that, and it's a lot less intelligent than it would be otherwise.

The New Yorker

Lemurs are less intelligent than monkeys.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Are blacks genetically predisposed to be less intelligent than whites?

The Economist

Stalwarts are not necessarily less intelligent than Stars.

Harvard Business Review

PEOPLE in very poor countries are, on average, less intelligent than those in rich ones.

The Economist

More than two-fifths (44%) believe Trump is less intelligent than the average person.

The Guardian

Talks about the reaction to Jensen's 1969 article that stated that blacks were genetically less intelligent than whites.

The New Yorker

Among the most notable: women were once considered less intelligent than men when studies showed their brains weren't as big.

The New York Times

Some animals, for example, are no less intelligent than some humans (e.g., infants and some intellectually impaired or disabled persons).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was once thought "natural" that non-white people are not quite human and women are less intelligent than men.

The Guardian

The book argued that poor people, and particularly poor black people, were inherently less intelligent than white or Asian people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing intelligence, be specific about the context. Instead of simply saying someone is "less intelligent than" another, specify the area where the difference is apparent (e.g., "less intelligent than in mathematical reasoning").

Common error

Avoid using "less intelligent than" as a blanket statement. Intelligence is multifaceted, and individuals may excel in different areas. Recognize and articulate these nuances for a more accurate and respectful comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less intelligent than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one subject possesses a lower degree of intelligence compared to another. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less intelligent than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase to express that one subject possesses a lower degree of intelligence than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in a range of contexts from news media and academic writing to more informal settings. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and consider specifying the context or area of intelligence being compared. Alternatives like "not as smart as" or "intellectually inferior to" can provide varying degrees of formality or directness depending on the intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as smart as

A more informal and common alternative, suitable for everyday conversation.

not as bright as

Similar in meaning to "not as smart as" but with a slightly different connotation.

intellectually inferior to

A more formal and direct comparison, often used in academic or technical contexts.

cognitively weaker than

Focuses specifically on cognitive abilities, suitable for scientific or psychological discussions.

slower on the uptake than

Describes someone who takes longer to understand things.

less perceptive than

Highlights a deficiency in understanding or insight.

less astute than

Focuses on someone's lack of shrewdness and perception.

not as quick-witted as

Emphasizes a lack of mental agility and responsiveness.

not the sharpest tool in the shed

An idiomatic and humorous way to express someone's lack of intelligence.

not as knowledgeable as

Refers to a lack of information and understanding rather than inherent intelligence.

FAQs

How do I use "less intelligent than" in a sentence?

Use "less intelligent than" to compare the intellectual capacity of two subjects. For example: "He is "less intelligent than" his sister in spatial reasoning."

What's a more polite way to say "less intelligent than"?

Consider using softer alternatives like "not as strong in", "struggles more with", or "has different strengths than" depending on the situation.

Which is correct: "less intelligent than me" or "less intelligent than I"?

Both are grammatically acceptable, but "less intelligent than I" is more formal. "Less intelligent than me" is more common in everyday speech.

What can I say instead of "less intelligent than" to avoid sounding judgmental?

To avoid sounding judgmental, try phrases like "not as experienced in", "has a different skill set than", or "approaches problems differently than".