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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less length than
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less length than" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is not a commonly used expression and may lead to confusion. Example: "This rope has less length than the other one."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Next-generation DNA sequencers guarantee the rapid collection of genomic data but provide less read-length than that of conventional Sanger sequencers.
Science
This continental-continental collision type plate motion creates thrust faults with lengths less than the length of the BZSZ.
Science
But the ultimate key to drawing an online audience, Topolsky says, has less to do with length than with quality.
News & Media
Resting skeletal muscle does not exert any force at lengths less than the normal length of the resting muscle in the body.
Encyclopedias
For chamber lengths less than the reattachment length in an infinite chamber, the size of the recirculation zone adjusts to fill the entire chamber volume available.
Science
Note also that the forehead showed less perceptual length contraction than did the forearm (see Lambda Variation below).
Science
Not unexpectedly, the BEAST analysis results in a chronogram with slightly less branch length heterogeneity than the PL chronogram.
Science
Reads with copy number less than 4, length less than 10 nt, or more than 10 consecutive, repetitive nucleotides were removed.
Science
A copy for Spy family was defined by an e value less than e−, length larger than 50 bp, and a minimum nucleotide identity of 80%.
Science
ATP nanorods exhibited an average length less than 1 μm and a diameter less than 100 nm (Fig. 2a).
Science
On the other hand, candidates with stem length less than 30 bp were less efficient in producing mature miRNA.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Opt for clear and grammatically sound alternatives like "shorter than" or "not as long as" to maintain precision and readability in your writing.
Common error
Don't use "less length than". It's not a standard English construction. Instead, choose direct and common alternatives for clarity and correctness.
Source & Trust
73%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less length than" functions as a comparative, attempting to describe that one item's length is smaller than another's. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is considered grammatically incorrect.
Frequent in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "less length than" is considered grammatically incorrect and is not recommended for use in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, it's better to opt for alternatives such as "shorter than" or "not as long as" to express the same comparison in a clear and grammatically sound manner. While examples exist, using the phrase may cause confusion. Always aim for precision and correctness by choosing established and accepted alternatives.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
shorter than
Replaces "less length than" with a more concise and grammatically correct comparative adjective.
not as long as
Expresses the same comparison using a different structure and avoiding the incorrect phrasing.
smaller in length than
Adds the explicit measurement dimension to the comparison for better clarity.
of shorter duration than
Focuses on the temporal aspect of length, implying a shorter time period.
not as extended as
Replaces "long" with "extended" to offer a slight variation in wording.
a reduced length compared to
Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the comparison.
lacking the length of
Focuses on the absence of a certain length rather than a direct comparison.
not reaching the length of
Highlights the fact that something does not attain a specific length.
inferior in length to
Implies a hierarchical relationship based on length.
possessing diminished length compared with
More verbose alternative emphasizing the reduced nature of the length.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say something is not as long?
Use "not as long as" or "shorter than" to express that something has a smaller length.
Is "less length than" grammatically correct?
No, "less length than" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "shorter than" or "not as long as".
What can I use instead of "less length than" in a sentence?
You can replace "less length than" with phrases like "shorter than", "not as long as", or "smaller in length than".
When should I use "shorter than" instead of "less length than"?
Always use "shorter than" instead of "less length than". "Shorter than" is the grammatically correct and commonly accepted way to express that something has a smaller length.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
73%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested