less long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing lengths or durations, indicating that something is shorter than another. Example: "This meeting is less long than the one we had last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Examines links between health and income, why poor people are less healthy and live less long than rich people.

Princeton University

Techies have been around a lot less long than police chiefs, but they have an entrenched gender profile, too.

The New Yorker

"One is that my life is going to be less long, and I didn't want to spend it fighting".

The New York Times

The subjects napped 90 minutes or less, long enough to experience slow-wave or deep sleep but not REM sleep.

The New York Times - Science

Longer she lives here, the more vulgarities to describe to and lord over those who have been here less long.

The New York Times

"One is that my life is going to be less long and I didn't want to spend it fighting".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

XVII, §§ 1, 3. They do not mandate the provision of any particular care, much less long-term nursing care.

Cornell University

Tajikistan's strongman is only slightly less long-lived.

The Economist

These tend to be less stable, and thus less long-lived than inorganics.

The Economist

Shared pain will do less long-run social and economic damage.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may make a good deal of it less long-lasting: we tend to treasure what comforts us.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing lengths, consider whether "shorter" might be a more direct and widely understood alternative to "less long."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "less long" can sound awkward in casual conversation. Opt for "shorter" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less long" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that something has a shorter duration or length compared to something else. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is grammatically acceptable and appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less long" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase, although simpler alternatives like "shorter" are often preferred. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While acceptable, "less long" may sound slightly awkward in informal settings, where "shorter" is usually a more natural choice. The phrase's purpose is to compare lengths or durations, indicating that one is shorter or briefer than another. Its usage frequency is rated as common, making it a recognizable, though not necessarily the most stylish, option for expressing comparisons of length or duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shorter

This is a direct synonym, implying reduced length or duration.

Not as long

This provides a more explicit comparison, useful for clarifying the difference in length.

Of shorter duration

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the time aspect.

Less lengthy

This highlights a reduction in length, suitable for formal contexts.

More brief

Focuses on conciseness and brevity.

Not so protracted

This emphasizes the avoidance of unnecessary prolongation.

More concise

Highlights the succinctness of something, especially in writing or speech.

Trimmed down

Suggests that something has been shortened by removing parts.

Abbreviated

Refers to something being made shorter, often in a standardized way.

Curtail

Emphasizes a sudden or deliberate shortening.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "less long"?

The word "shorter" is usually a more direct and common synonym for "less long".

Is it ever better to use "less long" instead of "shorter"?

While "shorter" is generally preferred, "less long" can be useful when you want to emphasize the comparison aspect or when you need to maintain a specific rhythm in your writing.

Can I use "less long" to describe physical objects?

Yes, you can use "less long" to describe the length of physical objects, though again, "shorter" is typically more common. For instance, "This rope is less long than that one."

What's the difference between "less long" and "not as long"?

"Not as long" is a more explicit and often clearer way to express the same idea as "less long". Both indicate that something has a shorter duration or length compared to something else, but "not as long" might be more easily understood.