less major

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less major" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is of lesser importance or significance compared to something else that is considered major. Example: "The changes to the project were less major than we initially anticipated, allowing us to stay on schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Field hockey, the less major of the two, is likely to suffer more.

The New York Times

The "major blow" struck on Friday, as senior policymakers called it, now looks less major.

The Guardian

"We'll have one less major firm, and that is an additional concern on top of everything else".

The New York Times

Obama delivered his famous antiwar speech as a new and unknown state senator from the much less major state of Illinois.

University of California, Berkeley

"She didn't go to college, much less major in English, or take courses at the Iowa Writers' Workshop or Bread Loaf," Patricia Gaffney told me.

The New Yorker

"Almost every year there has been some more or less major flooding event and that is a key message," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Major routes from the earlier map were assigned numbers ending in 0, 1 or 5 (5 was soon relegated to less-major status), and short connections received three-digit numbers based on the main highway from which they spurred.

Wikipedia

(It's more or less A major).

The New Yorker

It is impossible to imagine a less complacent major writer.

The New Yorker

For German companies, meeting a 30% quota will involve nothing less than major management upheaval.

The Guardian

Anything less, the major airlines have found, pushes already beleaguered travelers to their limits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less major", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'major' counterpart is for effective comparison. For example, "less major surgery" requires the reader to understand what constitutes a 'major' surgery in that specific medical context.

Common error

Avoid using "less major" in contexts where the baseline for comparison is unclear or undefined. Without a clear 'major' reference point, the phrase loses its comparative meaning and becomes vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less major" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, to describe a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies is of reduced significance, scale, or intensity when compared to something that is considered "major". Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less major" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to describe something of reduced importance or intensity when compared to a "major" counterpart. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts. When using "less major", it's crucial to provide a clear frame of reference for what constitutes "major" to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "less significant" or "minor" to achieve optimal precision. Ensuring that the context for comparison is well-defined helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the overall effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less significant

Focuses on the reduced degree of importance or impact.

less important

Directly indicates a lower level of importance.

of reduced importance

Rephrases the concept of diminished importance.

minor

A more concise term indicating something of small importance.

secondary

Suggests the issue is subordinate to something else.

smaller

Highlights reduced size or scale of the issue.

of lesser consequence

Emphasizes the reduced impact or outcome.

not as critical

Indicates a reduced level of urgency or necessity.

subordinate

Indicates a lower rank or position in a hierarchy.

less consequential

Focuses on the reduced long-term effects or ramifications.

FAQs

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

You can use "less major" to describe something of lesser importance compared to something else. For example, "The impact of the new policy was "less major" than initially predicted".

What are some alternatives to "less major"?

Alternatives include "less significant", "less important", or "minor", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less major"?

Yes, "less major" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate something is of reduced importance or size compared to something considered "major".

What is the difference between "less major" and "minor"?

"Less major" implies a direct comparison to something considered "major", while "minor" simply indicates something is small or unimportant without necessarily referencing a specific "major" counterpart.