less meddling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less meddling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest a desire for reduced interference or involvement in a situation. Example: "The community expressed a need for less meddling from external authorities in their local affairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 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

"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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 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

Both want orthodox fiscal and monetary policy, more openness to trade and less government meddling in business.

The Economist

And the proposed lineup that bears his imprint appears to be short of officials known to advocate market-driven growth and less state meddling.

The New York Times

These include less government meddling in business, fiscal rectitude and Central Bank independence, as well as reforms of Brazil's impenetrable bureaucracy and tax code.

The Economist

Many of Ms Silva's sensible, middle-of-the-road proposals match Mr Neves's, especially on the economy: both promote orthodox fiscal and monetary policy, greater openness to trade and less government meddling in business.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for "less meddling", be specific about the area where intervention should be reduced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "less government meddling" or "less managerial meddling".

Common error

Avoid using "less meddling" without providing context. Vague statements can be misinterpreted. Always clarify who is meddling and in what situation to ensure your message is clear and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less meddling" primarily functions as a noun phrase expressing a desire for the reduction of unwanted interference. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from political affairs to economic policies. The phrase acts as a subject or object of verbs indicating a preference or need.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less meddling" is a phrase used to advocate for reduced interference in various situations. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. While leaning towards informal, it's commonly found in news and media, signaling a desire for more autonomy or less intervention. When using the phrase, it is important to clarify the context to avoid ambiguity and ensure your message is clearly understood. Related phrases such as "reduced interference" or "limited intervention" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced interference

Emphasizes a decrease in obstruction or involvement.

decreased interference

Similar to "reduced interference", but places emphasis on the act of diminishing the level of obstruction.

less interventionist

Describes a tendency to avoid intervening in the affairs of others.

limited intervention

Highlights restrictions on involvement, specifically in a guiding or corrective way.

minimal intrusion

Focuses on the act of entering or affecting something disruptively, now in a reduced manner.

restrained involvement

Highlights a controlled and moderated participation.

reduced oversight

Highlights the act of supervising less closely.

hands-off approach

Suggests a deliberate choice to avoid intervening, allowing things to proceed without direct control.

lighter touch

Conveys a more delicate and less forceful approach in handling a situation.

laissez-faire attitude

Implies a policy of non-interference, particularly in economic affairs, allowing free operation.

FAQs

What does "less meddling" mean?

The phrase "less meddling" suggests a desire for reduced interference or involvement in a situation, often implying that the current level of involvement is excessive or unwanted.

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

You might say, "The community expressed a need for "less meddling" from external authorities in their local affairs", indicating a preference for local autonomy.

What are some alternatives to "less meddling"?

Consider using alternatives like "reduced interference", "limited intervention", or "minimal intrusion" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "less meddling" formal or informal?

While "less meddling" is understandable in most contexts, it leans towards informal. For formal settings, phrases like "reduced involvement" or "decreased oversight" may be more appropriate.