less milder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less milder" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "less mild" since "mild" is already a comparative adjective. Example: "The weather today is less mild than it was yesterday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A less mild-mannered lot would have rioted," said one Englishman.

The Guardian - Sport

The DVD of Kosminsky's Wuthering Heights timidly warns that the film "contains mild horror" – but could anything be less mild than the crazed, haunted novel?

The Guardian - Film

His interest in Shireen, mildly creepy at first, grows less mild and more sinister as the film progresses toward its final crisis.

The New York Times

For how long?In this section Growing less mild Stir it up Jittery Italy Mr Normal plods on The commission conundrum ReprintsUntil recently the question would have been unthinkable.

The Economist

The Spectator's Julie Burchill was unsurprisingly less mild: "The best way to read the Liddle book is as a self-loathing joke, otherwise the sheer level of sumptuous hypocrisy may choke you; this is, after all, a book bewailing modern-day selfishness by the man who left the mother of his children months after their wedding in order to be with his young mistress".

The Guardian - Books

Crowds at his rallies, in municipal gyms in eastern France or flanked by palm trees under the Mediterranean sun, applaud warmly, but not wildly.In this section Growing less mild Stir it up Jittery Italy Mr Normal plods on The commission conundrum ReprintsMr Hollande was never the Socialists' natural candidate.

The Economist

Flags were burned publicly, and sectarian chanting was heard at football matches.In this section Growing less mild Stir it up Jittery Italy Mr Normal plods on The commission conundrum ReprintsTo some these events revived unpleasant memories of 2001, when Albanian guerrillas, led by Ali Ahmeti, fought pitched battles with the Macedonian security services and the country came close to civil war.

The Economist

ALEX KEATING, Stratford-Upon-Avon Scientists have warned that a second wave of swine flu may spread globally in the autumn, and it is possible that it will mutate to be less mild and more infectious, but it's too early to know.

Independent

And it is a proto-government, with the exclusive right to propose new EU laws.In this section Growing less mild Stir it up Jittery Italy Mr Normal plods on The commission conundrum ReprintsAll this creates a powerful engine of integration.

The Economist

Unfortunately, foamed products can sometimes be less mild most likely due to poor surfactant selection.

American Journal of Infection Control

It was considerably less mild than De libero arbitrio, although not nearly so harsh as Luther's attack.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using double comparatives like "less milder". Opt for "less mild" or other alternatives to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Double comparatives often arise from mistakenly applying comparative markers to words that already imply comparison. Using "less milder" is redundant; choose "less mild" or rephrase to avoid the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less milder" functions incorrectly as a comparative adjective phrase. It attempts to express a reduction in mildness but fails due to the double comparative. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically flawed.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less milder" is grammatically incorrect due to its double comparative structure. As Ludwig AI clearly indicates, the correct form is "less mild" or alternatives like "not as mild" should be used. It's important to avoid double comparatives in writing to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity across all registers. Given its incorrect usage, the phrase is rarely found in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less mild

Direct replacement, correcting the grammatical error by using the base adjective.

not as mild

Rephrasing using a comparative structure to indicate a lower degree of mildness.

more severe

Expresses the opposite of mildness, indicating increased intensity.

somewhat harsher

Emphasizes a slight increase in severity or intensity.

slightly stronger

Indicates a marginal increase in force or intensity.

a bit more intense

Highlights a small increase in the level of intensity.

not quite as gentle

Focuses on the reduction of gentleness, implying a slight increase in harshness.

marginally rougher

Highlights a small increase in the level of roughness.

somewhat acute

Suggests an increase in sharpness or intensity of an experience or sensation.

relatively potent

Implies a greater degree of power or effectiveness.

FAQs

Why is "less milder" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "less milder" is incorrect because "milder" is already a comparative adjective. Using "less" with it creates a double comparative, which is generally avoided in standard English. Instead, use "less mild".

What are some alternatives to saying "less milder"?

You can use phrases like "less mild", "not as mild", or "more severe" to convey a similar meaning without the grammatical error.

How can I correct the phrase "less milder" in my writing?

Replace "less milder" with "less mild". This correction removes the double comparative and maintains the intended meaning of reduced mildness.

Is there a situation where "less milder" might be acceptable?

While generally considered incorrect in standard English, "less milder" might appear in informal speech or dialects. However, it's best to avoid it in formal writing or when aiming for grammatical correctness. Consider using "less mild" for clarity.