less more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less more than" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of comparative terms and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I would prefer less more than I would prefer more."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

With a flat foil, betatron oscillations are "cooled", but the momentum spread diverges exponentially, since faster (slower) particles ionize less (more) than the average.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

None the less, more than 80 million copies of Ladybird's Key Words titles were sold, and many children successfully learned to read.

The Guardian

The average debt for households earning $20,000 a year or less more than doubled to $26,000 between 2001 and 2010, according to the Urban Institute.

The New York Times - Science

According to the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, almost 50percentt of all car trips taken were three miles or less; more than 20percentt were a mile or less.

The Washington Post

As far as hard-fought postseason contests are concerned, the Celtics have played 39 playoff games since the turn of the century that were decided by five points or less, more than 25percentt of the team's total playoff games over that stretch.

The Washington Post

On the other hand, 20%30%0%) of subjects expected less (more) than their own donation, as can be observed from the circles above (below) the diagonal in Fig. 4. Figure 4: Within-subjects analysis of expections and own behavior (Condition 6).

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Furthermore, although more than 95% yeast genes are intron-less, more than 90% mammalian genes contain at least one intron, which can increase the efficacy of natural selection (Comeron and Kreitman 2002; Liao et al. 2006).

Genome Biology and Evolution

HAMILTON "Jason Peters: Less Than, More Than," site-specific installations.

The New York Times

"Jason Peters: Less Than, More Than," site-specific installations.

The New York Times

Through Sept. 22. "Jason Peters: Less Than, More Than," site-specific installations.

The New York Times

More less than more, on balance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less more than" in formal writing. It's grammatically awkward and can confuse readers. Opt for clearer alternatives like "less than" or rephrase the sentence to improve clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "less more than" when trying to express a comparison. Ensure you're using the correct comparative structure, such as "less than" or "more than", to clearly convey the intended meaning. Incorrect comparisons can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less more than" is used to express comparisons. However, it's often grammatically incorrect and confusing. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not correct and not usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less more than" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect and not suitable for standard written English. Its intended function is usually comparative, but the non-standard phrasing often leads to confusion. When clarity is paramount, opting for alternatives like "less than" or rephrasing the sentence is highly recommended. While examples of its usage exist across Science, News & Media, and Academia, authoritative writing should favor clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little less than

Highlights a minor difference, useful when the variation is subtle.

somewhat less than

Indicates a slight difference in quantity or degree, suggesting it's not a significant amount.

at most

Specifies the maximum quantity or degree, useful in constraints or limitations.

rather less than

Emphasizes a preference for a smaller quantity or degree compared to a reference point.

not quite as much as

Replaces "less" with a softer expression, useful in contexts where directness might be too strong.

to a lesser extent than

Adds formality and precision, often used in academic or technical writing.

not exceeding

Sets an upper limit, useful when defining maximum acceptable values.

under

Concise way to indicate "less than" a specific value or threshold.

below

Similar to "under", but can imply a physical or hierarchical relationship.

in smaller quantities than

Focuses on the amount, suitable when comparing physical quantities or resources.

FAQs

Is "less more than" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "less more than" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's often a confusion of comparative structures. Use "less than" or "more than" depending on your intended meaning.

When might I encounter "less more than" in writing?

While not grammatically standard, you might encounter "less more than" in informal contexts, or where the writer intends to convey a nuanced comparison. However, it's advisable to use clearer phrasing to avoid ambiguity.

What phrases can I use instead of "less more than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "rather less than", "somewhat less than", or simply "less than".

How does using "less more than" affect clarity?

Using "less more than" can reduce clarity because it's not a standard comparative structure. It's better to use precise language that directly indicates whether something is "less than" or "more than" another.