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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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less knowing that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less knowing that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to attempt to express a comparison or a degree of awareness, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "He was less knowing that the situation was more complicated than it appeared."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They have often sold the same product in poorer countries for less, knowing that it would not hurt their pricing power at home.

News & Media

The Economist

Mr. Rohan estimated Google would be willing to pay from $100 million to $150 million to each of the media companies to license their content, although it was unclear whether it would pay less knowing that those companies might start a rival.

News & Media

The New York Times

Acts of punitive deprivation must be imposed on each convicted offender without the comfort of believing, much less knowing, that the purposes for which the system of punishment was designed and maintained will really be advanced by inflicting a given punishment.

Science

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It was one less worry, knowing that Emily was OK.

Additionally, 50percentt said they felt "less safe" knowing that non-law enforcement officials were allowed to carry guns in public, while 38percentt felt "more safe".

News & Media

Huffington Post

A family grieving its six-figure inheritance will not be any less bereft for knowing that losses may also have been suffered by the heirs of the singer and composer John Denver and the motion picture legend Irving Thalberg.

News & Media

The New York Times

And I know he died knowing that".

News & Media

The New York Times

You can take comfort knowing that someone less fortunate will stay warm this winter thanks to your generosity.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Less than 4% of women reported knowing that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child.

Think back to the panicky month of October: would knowing that have made you less nervous, or more?

News & Media

The New Yorker

Lieutenant Keough wonders if not knowing that death was looming made Mr. Agard less cooperative.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "less aware that" or "unaware that" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using the construction "less knowing that" in formal writing. It often leads to awkward phrasing and can be easily replaced with more direct and comprehensible alternatives.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less knowing that" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect a reduced state of awareness to a subsequent clause. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, this construction is not grammatically correct and is not a standard usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less knowing that" is grammatically questionable and should be used with caution. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not a correct usage. While examples can be found primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, it is best practice to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "less aware that" or "unaware that". These alternatives ensure better clarity and comprehension in writing. Given its infrequency and the availability of better options, it's advisable to avoid "less knowing that" in formal writing contexts.

FAQs

What does "less knowing that" mean?

The phrase "less knowing that" is not a standard or grammatically correct construction in English. It's often better to use phrases like "less aware that" or "unaware that" instead, depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "less knowing that" correctly in a sentence?

While not grammatically ideal, "less knowing that" attempts to express a reduced state of awareness. However, it is advisable to use clearer alternatives such as "less aware that" or "not knowing that" for improved clarity.

What are some alternatives to "less knowing that"?

Better alternatives include "less aware that", "unaware that", "not realizing that", or "partially informed that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "less knowing that" or "less aware that"?

"Less aware that" is generally more appropriate. It's a grammatically standard construction that clearly communicates a reduced state of awareness, whereas "less knowing that" is considered non-standard and can be confusing.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: