less loud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less loud" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that is not as intense or strong as another sound. Example: "The music was less loud than I expected, allowing for easier conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Just less loud.

The Washington Post

SOUND LEVEL Less loud than many of its peers.

The New York Times - Food

It's very catchy and a little less loud than Nirvana and a little more family-friendly.

The New York Times

On the campaign trail, antiwar protests at her appearances are less frequent and less loud.

The New York Times

Mr. Donahue fell halfway between Chris Matthews on "Hardball" (less loud) and Ted Koppel on "Nightline" (louder).

The New York Times - Arts

Some lenders may be predatory and many borrowers are irresponsible, but this debate would be much less loud if tuition were not rising so quickly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They will spend less on loud displays of wealth, from diamond-studded tiaras to yachts too big to moor.

The Economist

Only those as naive as Wanda Brandstetter or as crass and ham-handed as Rod Blagojevich find themselves subject to prosecution, while others wise enough to say less out loud find snug protection in the First Amendment, no matter how bald their desire to influence government actions.

The New York Times

My belief is that we need to see more advice on marketing and sales execution, more collaboration and less insanely loud events and investment talk.

TechCrunch

"Under proper circumstances, sand dunes are capable of producing a variety of low-level whispering, whistling, singing, humming, or squeaking sounds, and less commonly, loud booming sounds," writes Hill – though we are still at a loss to explain how they are producing the noise, he notes.

BBC

At Tulsi he does the same dance and, if the setting is less attractive, louder and less special, it places his cooking in sharper relief.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the noise levels of two things, use "less loud" to indicate that one produces a lower volume than the other.

Common error

Avoid using "less loud" when you simply mean "quiet" or "silent". "Less loud" implies a comparison, not the absence of sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less loud" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a lower intensity of sound. It is used to describe something that produces a sound that is not as intense as another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less loud" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative adjective phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is primarily employed to compare the sound intensity of two subjects, indicating that one produces a lower volume than the other. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to use it to indicate a comparison, avoid using it to describe absolute silence where other alternatives, such as "quieter", or "not as loud" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quieter

A more concise and direct synonym for "less loud".

not as loud

A straightforward alternative that explicitly negates loudness.

more muted

Suggests a softening or muffling of the sound.

lower in volume

Focuses specifically on the volume aspect of the sound.

softer

Implies a gentler and less intense sound.

more subdued

Indicates a reduction in intensity or prominence of the sound.

less noisy

Shifts the focus from loudness to the general disturbance caused by noise.

at a lower decibel level

A technical way to describe reduced loudness.

fainter

Suggests a weaker and less perceptible sound.

not as intense

Broadens the scope to include any kind of intensity, not just sound.

FAQs

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

Use "less loud" when you want to compare the intensity of two sounds. For example, "The new engine is "less loud" than the old one."

What are some alternatives to "less loud"?

Depending on the context, you can use "quieter", "not as loud", "more muted", or "lower in volume".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less loud"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Less" is used to indicate a smaller amount of something, and "loud" is an adjective describing the sound intensity.

What's the difference between "less loud" and "quieter"?

"Quieter" is a direct synonym for "less loud"/s/less+loud and is generally used when a more concise word choice is preferable.