less meddle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less meddle" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey the idea of reducing interference or involvement, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "I wish you would meddle less in my personal affairs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

According to Lipsius, the prince should not intervene in the internal affairs of the church, much less meddle with doctrinal issues: he had no "rights in sacred matters" (ius in sacra; Politica, IV.2).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It wants less meddling through burdensome regulations.

The Economist

We need more stability and less meddling.

The Guardian

Hitting a familiar tone, Mr. Dimon also remarked that the housing market could rebound more quickly if lawmakers in Washington did less meddling.

The New York Times

"I hope that this incident leads to good changes, to less meddling, but I find it hard to believe that there won't be internal recriminations.

The New York Times

He instituted health-care reforms of a much less meddling sort than those embraced by Mr Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts.

The Economist

There was much less meddling by Gordon Brown this time and it showed in the absence of gimmicky "rabbits out of hats" which voters have rightly come to distrust.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Here a Conservative party that yearns for less meddling EU government will be urging the prime minister on to the full restoration of home rule.

The Guardian

Less meddling and fewer rules will mean less corruption.The open society and its enemiesBut cajoling by outfits like the World Bank will not achieve much unless the ordinary people most affected by corruption take up the fight themselves.

The Economist

That means: stronger banking systems with more foreign involvement; less meddling with the local price of capital; more transparent dealings between governments and the private sector; a better system for handling bankruptcy; and incentives for people to learn more and to make less wasteful use of natural resources.The most pressing changes involve capital markets.

The Economist

Less meddling overseas, a quieter form of leadership, a return to speaking softly (and acting more democratically).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less meddle" in formal writing; instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "less meddling" or "less interference".

Common error

The phrase "less meddle" is grammatically flawed because "meddle" is a verb. Use the gerund form "meddling" when modifying it with "less", creating the phrase "less meddling".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less meddle" attempts to function as a noun phrase, aiming to express a reduction in interference or involvement. However, it fails grammatically because "meddle" is a verb and requires a gerund form to function as a noun. Ludwig highlights this issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less meddle" is grammatically incorrect and its usage should be avoided in formal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that "meddle" must be converted to its gerund form, "meddling", to be grammatically sound. The intended meaning revolves around advocating for reduced interference or intervention. While the phrase appears mostly in news and media sources, its incorrect grammar detracts from its overall quality. Correct alternatives such as "less meddling" or "less interference" are recommended for clear and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less interference

Directly substitutes "meddle" with "interference", a more standard noun form.

reduced intervention

Replaces "meddle" with "intervention" and uses "reduced" for a formal tone.

less involvement

Employs "involvement" to denote a decrease in participation or intrusion.

decreased meddling

Uses "decreased" to modify the gerund "meddling", correcting the grammar.

minimal intrusion

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal and passive expression.

limited interference

Indicates that interference is kept to a minimum.

less tampering

Uses "tampering" to suggest a negative form of interference.

reduced oversight

Implies a decrease in supervision or control, often in a formal setting.

less manipulation

Suggests a reduction in attempts to control a situation or person unfairly.

minimal involvement

Indicates a very low degree of participation or interference.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "less meddle"?

The grammatically correct alternative is "less meddling". This uses the gerund form of the verb "meddle" which functions as a noun.

Is "less meddle" ever appropriate to use?

While technically incorrect, "less meddle" might be used informally. However, in formal writing or speech, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives like "less interference" or "less meddling".

How can I rephrase "less meddle" to sound more professional?

To sound more professional, consider using phrases such as "reduced intervention", "minimal intrusion", or "limited interference".

What's the difference between "less meddle" and "less meddling"?

"Less meddle" is grammatically incorrect because "meddle" is a verb. "Less meddling" is the correct form, using the gerund "meddling" as a noun, making it grammatically sound.