less less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less less" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a specific context to emphasize a reduction in something that is already less, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "If we want to achieve our goals, we need to focus on making our expenses less less than last year."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Less, less, less.

The New Yorker

"Less less less," she told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

LOT-LESS CLOSEOUTS is not Less Less.

The New York Times

And some of them give less, less, less.

The New York Times - Sports

And he always says more, more, more to me, while everybody else says less, less, less".

The Guardian

I want to tell less, less, less information, and give somehow more, more space for interpretation".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

They are less and less 'real' celebrities.

The New York Times

It's far more natural, and less... less strategic than you seem to think".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As the years wore on, Jenkins became less & less a factor in the rare-book business.

The New Yorker

He observes that his life has become increasingly like a dream from which he has less & less expectation of awakening.

The New Yorker

Muskie may have the nomination locked up by the time of the Convention, but this seems less & less likely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less less", ensure the context emphasizes a double reduction or a comparison against something already diminished. For clarity, consider alternatives like "even less" or "reduced further".

Common error

Avoid using "less less" when a single "less" sufficiently conveys the intended meaning. Overusing the phrase can create redundancy and make your writing sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less less" functions as an intensifier to the adjective "less", indicating a greater degree of reduction. It emphasizes a comparative decrease or a reduction from an already diminished quantity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't standard but is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less less" is used to emphasize a further reduction or to highlight that something is smaller than what was previously considered small. While Ludwig AI flags it as non-standard, it's frequently found in news and media, suggesting it can be acceptable for emphasis in general writing. However, for clarity and grammatical correctness, alternatives like "even less" or "reduced further" are often preferable. The best practice is to avoid redundancy and ensure the phrase enhances, rather than obscures, the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even less

Emphasizes that the reduction is happening from an already small quantity or degree.

reduced further

Highlights the action of decreasing something that has already been diminished.

still less

Indicates a lower quantity or degree compared to a previous state, often unexpected.

even fewer

Applies specifically to countable items, reinforcing the idea of a dwindling number.

decreasingly less

Describes a continuous decline in quantity or importance, adding a sense of progression.

progressively less

Similar to 'decreasingly less', this emphasizes a gradual reduction over time.

markedly less

Highlights a significant or noticeable reduction, suggesting a substantial difference.

substantially less

Implies a considerable reduction in amount, size, or degree, indicating a large difference.

noticeably less

Indicates a reduction that is easily observed or detected, often implying a change in perception.

appreciably less

Suggests a reduction that is significant enough to be considered important or meaningful.

FAQs

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

While not standard, "less less" can emphasize a reduction from an already small amount. Example: "We need to make our expenses "even less" than last year."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "less less"?

Consider using phrases like "even less", "reduced further", or "still less" for clearer communication.

Is it grammatically correct to use "less less"?

While it appears in some contexts, "less less" is generally considered non-standard. Ludwig AI suggests that it's not commonly accepted, and you might consider alternative phrasings.

When is it appropriate to use "less less" instead of just "less"?

Use "less less" when you want to emphasize a double reduction or a comparative decrease from an already small quantity. However, be mindful of potential ambiguity and consider whether "even less" or a similar phrase would be more precise.