less larger

USAGE SUMMARY

'less larger' is not correct or usable in written English.
You would instead say 'smaller.' For example: The new house was much smaller than my old one.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For lobsters two pounds or less (larger ones char, dry and toughen on the grill).

The New York Times - Food

Thus, the total magnetic moment of V and Mn (Co and Cu) doping is less (larger) than the local magnetic moments of the three dopants.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Meeting him years ago, he seemed just a little less larger in life than the man I had idolized as a child--than the champ whose velvet poster once hung on my bedroom wall.

Huffington Post

We can waste endless days and nights clicking on Weblinks, texting or Tweeting about the minutiae of our lives, or being so focused on our Facebook friends that we have little time left for flesh-and-blood relationships, much less larger causes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Defeat and atonement loom less large than they once did.

Independent

There are writers about whom this question of motherhood looms less large, at least for me.

The New Yorker

Today, Africa has less large-scale commercial agriculture than it had 50 years ago.

The New York Times

They thus made a wound in humanity less large, but infinitely difficult to heal".

The New Yorker

As soon as we consider genetics this way, the risks of substantial discrimination loom less large.

The Guardian

Both of these prospects will loom less large if New Start is ratified.

The New York Times

It no longer seems to focus on the special needs of smaller (or maybe I should say "less large") businesses.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less larger" in formal writing. Opt for "smaller" or "not as large" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Common error

The phrase "less larger" combines two comparative forms ("less" and "larger"), which is generally incorrect in English. Choose a single comparative form, such as "smaller".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less larger" functions as an incorrect comparative. Ludwig AI identifies that it violates standard English grammar rules by combining two comparative modifiers. Preferable alternatives include using "smaller" or "not as large".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less larger" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal English. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that a better option is to use "smaller" or "not as large". While "less larger" might be encountered in informal contexts, it's crucial to use standard comparative forms in written communication. The infrequent occurrence and grammatical issues contribute to a low expert rating for this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller

Replaces both "less" and "larger" with a single, correct comparative adjective.

not as large

Uses a "not as...as" structure to express a smaller size or magnitude.

less big

Uses the word "big" instead of "large", creating a less formal tone, but remaining grammatically incorrect.

considerably smaller

Adds emphasis to the difference in size.

significantly smaller

Similar to 'considerably smaller', it emphasizes the magnitude of the difference.

somewhat smaller

Indicates a slight difference in size.

slightly smaller

Similar to 'somewhat smaller', but with an added nuance of preciseness.

not quite as big

An informal way to express a slightly smaller size.

a bit smaller

Another informal equivalent expressing a small difference in size.

relatively smaller

Highlights that the comparison is relative to something else.

FAQs

Is "less larger" grammatically correct?

No, "less larger" is grammatically incorrect. The correct alternative is to use "smaller" or phrases like "not as large as".

What's a better phrase to use instead of "less larger"?

The word "smaller" is generally the best substitute for "less larger". Other options include "not as large" or "not as big" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "less larger"?

It's generally not appropriate to use "less larger" in any formal writing context. While you might encounter it in informal speech, it's best to avoid it in written communication.

How does "less larger" compare to "smaller" in terms of meaning?

"Smaller" directly conveys the intended meaning of being not as big. "Less larger" is an incorrect construction that should be avoided. "Smaller" is the preferred term.