less loud than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less loud than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the volume levels of two sounds or noises, indicating that one is quieter than the other. Example: "The music in the café is less loud than the one at the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

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

It was hypothesized that voices synthesized with steeper spectral slopes will be perceived as less loud than voices synthesized with less steep spectral slopes, in spite of the fact that they are of equal root mean square (RMS) amplitude.

Journal of Voice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Since 2009, the rapper Earl Sweatshirt, now 19, has been part of the Odd Future crew from Los Angeles; far less loud and forthright than the group's point man, Tyler, the Creator, he's nonetheless been an underdog hero.

The New York Times

A film that could use a little less caution is Louder Than Bombs (Soda, 15), a formally refined, emotionally intelligent, yet somehow disappointing foray into English-language film-making for Norwegian Joachim Trier, whose Reprise and Oslo, August 31st throbbed with complex, unresolved feeling.

The Guardian - Film

The Mark thing will make so much less sense out loud than it did when she did it, or even than it does now as she goes over it in her head.

The New Yorker

– Louder Than War.

The Guardian - Music

And people will complain that the Jets were loud, but sooner loud than lousy: could anything have been less gracious than B.B.'s post-game press conference?

The New Yorker

The stereotypical image of a US tourist is usually less than flattering: loud, intrusive and unaware, not to mention the apparel.

BBC

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

The New York Times - Food

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing noise levels in different environments, use "less loud than" to provide a clear and easily understandable comparison for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "less loud than" in contexts where a more direct term like "quieter than" would be more appropriate and immediately understandable to the reader. Consider your audience and the level of formality required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less loud than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that has a lower intensity of sound relative to another thing. Ludwig confirms this is a valid and usable comparative construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less loud than" is a grammatically sound and functionally effective comparative phrase employed to denote a lower sound intensity relative to another source. While Ludwig confirms its validity, its usage frequency is rare, primarily appearing across neutral and formal contexts like news, media, and scientific publications. For increased clarity in general conversation, consider substituting with "quieter than" if appropriate. Prioritize context, and be aware that the alternative "softer than" implies something more about the quality of the sound. Ultimately, using this phrase correctly hinges on understanding its specific role in making straightforward acoustic comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quieter than

A more direct and common synonym for indicating a lower volume.

not as loud as

A common phrasing that expresses a similar comparison of loudness.

softer than

Implies a gentler sound, suitable when discussing music or voices.

more muted than

Suggests a sound that is muffled or suppressed in comparison.

less intense than

Suitable when describing sounds with variable intensity.

lower in volume than

A more technical way to describe sound levels.

not as noisy as

Similar meaning but emphasizes the disruptive aspect of loud sounds.

at a lower decibel level than

A precise, technical comparison of sound intensity.

more hushed than

Suggests a deliberate reduction in volume, implying secrecy or reverence.

fainter than

Implies a sound that is barely audible or difficult to hear.

FAQs

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

You can use "less loud than" to compare the volume of two sounds, for example: "The background music was "less loud than" the speaker's voice".

What's a simple alternative to "less loud than"?

A simpler alternative is "quieter than". For example: "The library is "quieter than" the cafeteria".

Is it correct to say "not as loud as" instead of "less loud than"?

Yes, "not as loud as" is a perfectly acceptable alternative with a similar meaning. For example: "The motorcycle wasn't "not as loud as" I expected".

What is the difference between "less loud than" and "softer than"?

While both suggest a lower volume, "softer than" often implies a more gentle or pleasant sound, while "less loud than" simply indicates a lower volume level without necessarily implying anything about the sound's quality.