less necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less necessary" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is not as important or essential as something else. Example: "While studying for my history exam, I realized that the information in Chapter 5 was less necessary than that in Chapter 7." This means that the information in Chapter 5 is not as crucial for the exam as the information in Chapter 7.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

– has become less necessary.

The Guardian - Sport

It is less necessary to be clubbable.

The New York Times

But it is no less necessary.

The New York Times

The spraying also became less necessary as temperatures cooled.

The New York Times

Thus, the argument goes, unions are less necessary.

The New York Times

But Germany, reunited, sees NATO as less necessary, even hollow.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nothing is less necessary than a pet dog, or more needed.

The New Yorker

Subsequent events have made Anderson's protest seem forlorn, though no less necessary.

The New Yorker

They want to minimize the outlays and hope something happens to make it less necessary.

The New York Times

As the modern novel developed, explanations like those of the Fieldings became less necessary.

The New Yorker

But it would be even better if they were less necessary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less necessary" to indicate a reduction in importance or requirement compared to a previous state or another factor. For clarity, specify what it is less necessary than to provide context.

Common error

Be careful not to use "less necessary" when you mean something is completely "unnecessary". "Less necessary" implies a comparative reduction in need, while "unnecessary" indicates a complete lack of need.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less necessary" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a reduced level of necessity. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something that is not as important or essential as something else. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less necessary" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase that indicates a reduced level of importance or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using "less necessary", ensure you're conveying a reduction in need, not a complete lack of need, and be mindful of the context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "not as crucial" or "less vital" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as crucial

Emphasizes a reduction in importance or critical need.

less vital

Focuses on a decrease in essential life-sustaining qualities or importance.

not as essential

Highlights a decrease in fundamental necessity.

less important

Indicates a reduction in significance or value.

not required

Signifies that something is optional rather than mandatory.

less critical

Stresses a lowered state of urgent importance.

not as significant

Underlines a decrease in overall impact or importance.

less pressing

Conveys a reduction in the urgency or immediacy of something.

of secondary importance

Positions something as having a lower level of priority.

less compelling

Indicates a reduced sense of being irresistibly attractive or convincing.

FAQs

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

You can use "less necessary" to indicate a reduced level of importance or requirement. For example, "With the new software update, manual backups are "less necessary" than before."

What's a good alternative to the phrase "less necessary"?

Alternatives to "less necessary" include phrases like "not as crucial", "less vital", or "not as essential", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is something considered "less necessary"?

Something is "less necessary" when its importance or requirement is diminished, often due to changes in circumstances, new technologies, or alternative options. It still has a role, but is not as critical as it once was.

Is "less necessary" the same as "unnecessary"?

No, "less necessary" implies a reduction in importance, while "unnecessary" means something is completely unneeded. It is "less necessary" to bring an umbrella when the forecast predicts only a slight chance of rain, but it's completely unnecessary if the sun is shining brightly.