less of a persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a persons" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "less of a person"? You can use the corrected phrase when discussing someone's qualities or characteristics in a comparative context, typically to indicate that they are not as significant or valuable as another person. Example: "In this situation, he seems to be less of a person than his colleague, who shows great empathy and leadership."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A court that says a living breathing human is less of a "persons" than Lockheed Martin has gone badly awry.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Give someone pity and they become less of a person.

The Guardian - Music

It made you feel less of a person".

The New York Times

"If it makes me less of a person or less of a man, then so be it," Stewart said.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't make you less of a person or worse of a person.

The New York Times

I don't feel like less of a feminist, or less of a person, or less in any way.

The New York Times

"Did I think she was less of a person for liking them?" Max asks himself.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It doesn't make him less of a person," she told him.

The New York Times - Arts

But it doesn't make me any less of a person.

Independent

I've seen people twisted, and disappointed, and therefore becoming less of a person, and therefore less of an actor".

The Guardian

The resulting sound is less of a person conveying stories or feelings than of a volunteer choir chanting hymns.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the singular form "person" instead of the plural "persons" when referring to an individual's qualities or worth in a comparative context. For example, use "less of a person".

Common error

Avoid using the plural form "persons" when you intend to describe an individual as being diminished in some way. The correct phrasing is "less of a person".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as a comparative description, implying that someone or something possesses fewer positive qualities or holds a lower status than what is considered ideal for a "person". However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less of a persons" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "less of a person". As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not standard English. While attempts to use this phrase appear in various contexts, including news and media, its incorrect grammar significantly reduces its effectiveness and acceptability. When expressing the idea of someone being diminished in value or quality, it's essential to use the grammatically correct "less of a person" or explore alternatives like "diminished as a person" or "dehumanized" for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less of a person

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular noun "person".

Diminished as a person

Emphasizes the reduction in someone's perceived worth or status.

Not as complete a person

Suggests a sense of incompleteness or lacking essential attributes.

Lacking in personhood

Highlights a deficiency in essential human qualities.

Of lesser importance as a human being

Directly states a lower level of significance or value.

Reduced in stature

Focuses on a decrease in social or moral standing.

Compromised as an individual

Suggests a negative impact on someone's integrity or essence.

Inferior as an individual

Indicates a lower rank or value compared to others.

Worth less as a human

Directly states a diminished value due to specific circumstances.

Dehumanized

Highlights the act of depriving someone of their human qualities.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone is not as good a person?

The correct phrasing is "less of a person". Using "persons" is grammatically incorrect.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "less of a persons"?

No, the phrase "less of a persons" is not grammatically correct in standard English. You should always use "less of a person".

What are some alternatives to saying "less of a person"?

You can use alternatives like "diminished as a person", "dehumanized", or "of lesser importance as a human being" depending on the context.

Why is "less of a persons" grammatically incorrect?

The word "person" should be in the singular form when used with "less of a" to describe an individual's qualities or characteristics. The plural "persons" is generally used to refer to a group of individuals.