less interesting in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less interesting in" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a decrease in interest regarding a specific subject, but it requires rephrasing for clarity. Example: "I find the sequel to be less interesting than the original film."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Usually there's nothing less interesting in a documentary than a laboratory inspection of what makes something funny.

The Guardian - Film

Georgia O'Keeffe painted wonderful landscapes, but she painted a much greater number of magnified vulval flowers, less interesting in every way.

The Guardian - Arts

But birthplaces themselves are an even odder subcategory, certainly less interesting, in general, than the houses where writers have actually worked.

The New York Times

The hunters, comprised (or comprised of, as I wouldn't put it past them to say) an oddly unlovely mix of geeks, ex-cops and ex-spooks, all so much less interesting in real life than in fictionalised telly personae.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unfortunately Marian Araujo and Paul Reid, though appropriately physically fortunate, are less interesting in the other two roles; we don't get enough of Julian's zealot-like belief in a positive future, nor of the complexity of Tara's reaction to Darren.

The Guardian

B.H.: It seems like while the mainstream media outlet has somehow decided that basketball is less interesting in the post-Jordan era, but the blog world seems to be flush with talent.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

They will, sadly, be less interesting than in previous decades, as the census form has been radically shortened this time.

The Economist

Anne Hathaway plays the beleaguered assistant, but she is much less interesting — and in the end less sympathetic — than the boss, Miranda Priestly, incarnated by Meryl Streep as a subtle and searching (and very funny) portrait of glamour and power.

The New York Times

I fear that a more consistently mainstream editor eventually will make this periodical much less interesting, so in the meantime I am glad that the editor is the daughter of the owner.

The New York Times

On the other hand, the young lovers Dr. Harrison and Sophy Hutton have married and moved away, meaning that Simon Woods and Kimberley Nixon, two of the less interesting performers in "Cranford," are no longer around to moon at each other.

The New York Times

"I put him on when I go into the studio and hang him up on the hook when I leave," he said, giving the impression that he was never wholly satisfied with a lifelong career as one of the less interesting protagonists in a radio soap.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the interestingness of two subjects, ensure you use a grammatically correct structure such as "not as interesting as" or "less interesting than."

Common error

Avoid using the construction "less interesting in". Instead, opt for the grammatically correct "less interesting than" to compare two subjects, or rephrase to remove the comparison entirely if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less interesting in" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, attempting to describe something as having a lower level of interest compared to something else. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically questionable and requires careful consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less interesting in" aims to express a comparison of interest, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct form is typically "less interesting than". Though examples can be found in News & Media and Science, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "not as interesting as" or "less engaging than" especially in formal writing. The infrequent correct usage and the availability of clearer alternatives make "less interesting in" a phrase to avoid. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as interesting as

A more direct comparison of interest levels between two subjects.

not quite as interesting as

Subtly diminishes the level of interest compared to another subject, adding a nuanced comparison.

less engaging than

Focuses on the captivating quality of something; implies something else fails to hold attention.

less intriguing than

Highlights the mysterious or curious quality; the alternative fails to spark curiosity.

less fascinating than

Highlights the captivating or intriguing aspect, suggesting the alternative lacks this quality.

less captivating than

Similar to 'less fascinating' but emphasizes the ability to hold attention.

not as absorbing as

Emphasizes the ability to fully occupy one's attention or interest.

not as compelling as

Emphasizes the persuasive or irresistible nature; the alternative fails to create the same impact.

less appealing than

Focuses on the attractiveness or desirability; implies a lower level of attractiveness.

not as stimulating as

Focuses on intellectual or sensory excitement; implies a lack of such stimulation.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "less interesting" in a sentence?

The correct construction is typically "less interesting than" to compare two subjects. For example, "This book is "less interesting than" the last one I read."

What's a good alternative to saying something is "less interesting"?

You can use phrases like "not as interesting", "less engaging", or "less compelling" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less interesting in"?

No, the phrase "less interesting in" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct preposition to use for comparison is "than". Use "less interesting than" instead.

How does "less interesting than" compare to "not as interesting as"?

Both phrases are used to indicate that one thing is not as captivating or engaging as another. "Less interesting than" is generally more concise, while "not as interesting as" can sometimes provide a slightly softer tone.