less of

USAGE SUMMARY

"less of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to denote a reduced amount of something compared to what was there before. For example, "Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was less of a demand for international travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less of a follower.

The New York Times - Sports

Still less of Mavis.

The New Yorker

"Give less of a fuck.

The Guardian

But somewhat less of it.

The New York Times

It's less of a cathedral".

The New York Times

You get less of it".

The New York Times

Another incident, though, he made less of.

The Economist

What if we had less of everything?

The New Yorker

No one will think less of you".

The New Yorker

Iran has much less of a problem.

The Economist

He was also less of a hothead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less of" when you want to indicate a smaller amount or degree of something, especially when referring to uncountable nouns. For example, "There is less of a problem now than there was before".

Common error

Avoid using "less of" when referring to countable nouns. Instead, use "fewer of". For instance, instead of saying "Less of the students attended", say "Fewer of the students attended".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a smaller quantity or degree. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in expressing reduction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

15%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a reduced amount or degree, primarily with uncountable nouns. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, as demonstrated by the numerous examples found across diverse sources. While "fewer of" is the grammatically preferred alternative for countable nouns, "less of" is often used informally. The frequency of "less of" across news, media, and academic sources highlights its broad applicability and acceptance in various writing styles. Related phrases such as "smaller amount of" and "reduced quantity of" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller amount of

Focuses on the reduced quantity, replacing "less" with "smaller amount".

a reduced quantity of

Highlights the decrease in quantity, using more formal language.

a lower degree of

Emphasizes a decrease in intensity or extent.

a diminished amount of

Implies a significant reduction, suggesting something has become smaller or weaker.

a scarcity of

Focuses on the lack or insufficient amount of something.

a dearth of

Indicates a severe lack or shortage, often used in more formal contexts.

a decline in

Highlights the process of decreasing, rather than the resulting state.

a weakening of

Suggests that something is becoming less powerful or effective.

a cutback in

Implies a deliberate reduction, often in spending or resources.

a curtailment of

Indicates a restriction or limitation, often in rights or freedoms.

FAQs

How do I use "less of" in a sentence?

Use "less of" to indicate a smaller amount or degree of something, typically with uncountable nouns. For example: "There is "less of a chance" of rain today."

What's the difference between "less of" and "fewer of"?

"Less of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "less of the water"), while "fewer of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "fewer of the apples").

What can I say instead of "less of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "smaller amount of", "reduced quantity of", or "lower degree of".

Is it correct to say "less of" followed by a plural noun?

While grammatically, "fewer of" is preferred before plural nouns, "less of" is sometimes used informally, especially in spoken English. However, for formal writing, "fewer of" is the more appropriate choice.