less of a nuisance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a nuisance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the degree of annoyance or inconvenience caused by something, suggesting that it is not as bothersome as something else. Example: "While the construction noise is bothersome, it's less of a nuisance than the traffic jams we experienced last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Tech companies, too, are evolving their products to make autoplay videos less of a nuisance.

The New York Times - Tech

Dropped calls may also become less of a nuisance, as phones will automatically try to redial the number should the communication be cut mid conversation.

The Guardian - Tech

But he might be less of a nuisance to May inside her tent than outside, maybe as leader of the House of Commons.

The Guardian

Executives at Sara Lee Underwear, the division of the Sara Lee Corporation that makes the Hanes brand, had been toying for a few years with how to make the tags less of a nuisance.

The New York Times

Its noise would be much less of a nuisance; indeed, proponents suggest it might operate all through the night.A sparsely populated setting would also limit the effects of the air pollution that comes from planes landing, taxiing and taking off, and from the road traffic serving the airport.

The Economist

One thing has become clear: if commercial downloading services are to succeed, they must at least match the virtual jukebox features and content libraries that the illegal services provide.On cue, RealNetworks, Microsoft, IBM and America Online have started offering far better encryption tools for their popular video and audio players, making them less of a nuisance to use.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For this reason the provilege to be silent is sometimes accepted as being more or less of a constitutional nuisance which the courts should abate whenever and however possible.

Cornell University

It seemed generous to me, more like a gift and less like a nuisance.

The New Yorker

But for Lil Wayne himself, it seems that the SQVAD is less a nuisance than a sort of sanctuary from the rap game, which he's teetered at the top of since he was a Hot Boy.

Vice

I was a bit of a nuisance".

The New York Times

It's kind of a nuisance conflict".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two potentially negative situations, use "less of a nuisance" to highlight that one is preferable to the other due to its reduced level of inconvenience.

Common error

Avoid using "less of a nuisance" when describing something completely positive. This phrase is best suited for situations where something is still somewhat bothersome, but to a lesser extent than another option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a nuisance" functions as a comparative expression, indicating a reduction in the degree of annoyance or inconvenience caused by something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to compare two potentially negative situations, highlighting that one is preferable due to its reduced inconvenience.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less of a nuisance" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a reduced level of annoyance or inconvenience. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its main function is comparative, highlighting that one option is preferable to another due to its reduced negative impact. While versatile enough for neutral contexts, it's rarely suited for highly formal or scientific discourse. Remember to use it when comparing two things that are somewhat bothersome, not when describing something entirely positive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less bothersome

Replaces "nuisance" with a direct synonym, simplifying the phrase.

less troublesome

Similar to "less bothersome", but emphasizes the reduction in difficulty or effort.

less irritating

Focuses on the reduction of annoyance or frustration.

less annoying

A more direct and common synonym for "less of a nuisance".

less disruptive

Highlights the reduction in interference or disturbance.

less inconvenient

Emphasizes the reduction in practical difficulties or problems.

not as problematic

Shifts the focus to the reduction of issues or difficulties.

not as much of a bother

Uses a more informal expression for reduced annoyance.

a smaller inconvenience

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize the reduced scale of the problem.

a minor annoyance

Directly describes the subject as only slightly irritating.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a nuisance" in a sentence?

You can use "less of a nuisance" to compare two undesirable situations, indicating that one is preferable because it's less annoying or problematic. For example, "Taking the bus is "less of a nuisance" than dealing with traffic and parking."

What are some alternatives to "less of a nuisance"?

Alternatives include "less bothersome", "less troublesome", or "less annoying". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the inconvenience you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "less of a nuisance" or should I use "fewer of a nuisance"?

"Less of a nuisance" is the correct phrasing. "Nuisance" is generally treated as a non-countable noun in this context, so "less" is appropriate.

What's the difference between "less of a nuisance" and "not as much of a problem"?

"Less of a nuisance" specifically refers to something that is less annoying or inconvenient, while "not as much of a problem" is a broader term that can apply to any kind of issue. While they are related, "less of a nuisance" carries a stronger connotation of minor irritation.