less lasting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less lasting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not endure or persist for a long time compared to something else. Example: "The paint used for the exterior of the house is less lasting than the high-quality sealant we applied to the interior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And though the losses may still sting sharply, their effects are less lasting.

The New Yorker

After more than a decade of thematic investigations of Russian music familiar and obscure by Valery Gergiev and the Kirov Orchestra, Mr. Jurowski's series made less lasting an impression than it might have.

The New York Times - Arts

The truth is that at present an autocratic supranational boss ("L'Europe, c'est moi") could achieve less lasting and solid progress towards greater unity in Europe than more flexible and modest bodies.

The Economist

There were no differences in age, marital status, living arrangements or GAF scores between groups, but significantly more SIP patients were male and tended to have less lasting relationships compared to PNS patients.

BMC Psychiatry

And it reminds us that the way we live now may be less important, and have less lasting consequences, than the way now lives through us.

The New York Times - Books

The man who defined the 90's as Reagan did the 80's seems to have left a much less lasting imprint on his party than Reagan did.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The BNP recognises that industrialism in Britain has proved a less-lasting influence than we imagined upon our sense of who we are.

The Guardian

Forté and J. Period both expressed a hope that this song would more or less last forever, too.

The New York Times - Sports

You ski two runs, each lasting less than a minute.

The New Yorker

2Awakenings lasting less than 30 minutes.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Short-period comets have orbits lasting less than two hundred years.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the longevity of two different phenomena, use "less lasting" to highlight the one with a shorter duration. For instance: "The effects of the medication were "less lasting" than expected, requiring a higher dosage."

Common error

Avoid using "less lasting" when describing something without a direct comparison. It's more appropriate to use terms like 'short-lived' or 'temporary' when not contrasting durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less lasting" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something has a shorter duration or impact compared to something else. As Ludwig AI also suggests, this is a valid way to use the English language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less lasting" is a grammatically sound and functionally useful phrase for expressing comparative duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is an acceptable way to use English. It primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase, often found in news and scientific contexts. When using "less lasting", ensure a clear comparison is being made to another element with a longer duration. This provides clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations. If you are not making a direct comparison, alternatives like "temporary" or "short-lived" might be more appropriate. Always consider your context and audience to select the term that best fits your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less enduring

Indicates a diminished capacity to withstand or remain effective over time.

less sustained

Suggests a reduction in the ability to maintain or prolong an effect or activity.

less durable

Highlights a decrease in the robustness or resilience of something.

shorter-lived

Emphasizes the brevity of existence or effectiveness.

less permanent

Conveys a lower degree of fixity or immutability.

less persistent

Indicates a reduced ability to continue or recur over time.

fleeting

Suggests a very brief or transient existence.

ephemeral

Highlights the extremely short-lived or transient nature of something.

temporary

Implies that something is intended to exist or be used for only a limited time.

transient

Describes something that lasts only for a short time.

FAQs

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

Use "less lasting" to compare the duration of two things, indicating one lasts for a shorter time: "The impact of the scandal was "less lasting" than the economic recession".

What phrases are similar to "less lasting"?

Alternatives include "less enduring", "less permanent", or "shorter-lived", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "least lasting" instead of "less lasting"?

"Least lasting" implies a superlative degree, meaning the shortest duration of all options being considered. "Less lasting" compares two specific items, while "least lasting" refers to an item that lasts the shortest amount of time when compared to multiple items.

When should I use "less lasting" versus "temporary"?

"Less lasting" is comparative; it implies a contrast with something else that lasts longer. "Temporary" describes something that is not intended to be permanent, without necessarily comparing it to anything else.