less of a trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a trouble" is not standard in written English; the correct form is "less trouble." You can use it when comparing the level of difficulty or inconvenience of two situations, but it is better to use "less trouble" instead.
Example: "This new method is less trouble than the previous one."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The rest are massive brick carcasses, gutted and blackened, courtyards overrun with rust and weeds, ideal for squatting: migrants lived in them until the town council drove them out last year, packing them into the Jungle, where it was believed they would be less of a trouble to the locals.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is a straight man in a world run by straight men and has not the faintest idea of the obstacles "flirting" throws up, and even less of the trouble it can cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

United's forceful opening was less of a shock given the recent troubles they have afforded both halves of the Old Firm at Tannadice; Jon Daly forced Allan McGregor into a fine save after just 70 seconds, Mihael Kovacevic volleying narrowly wide shortly after.

The Guardian - Sport

Less of a follower.

The New York Times - Sports

Less of a leader?

BBC

Less of a challenge means less improvement.

WikiHow

The first auction, a combination of Chinese, Japanese and Korean ceramics and works of art at the smaller William Doyle Galleries on March 19, will be less indicative of trouble, but a poor showing from Christie's and Sotheby's, from March 20 to 22, will certainly cast a pall over the rest of the week.

Forbes

"The effort should have been directed against the XVIth Amendment" — the income tax amendment — "which I believe could have been repealed with the expenditure of less time and trouble than was required for the abolition of its little brother," the 18th.

The New York Times

Her film is less a portrait of a generation in trouble, more a generation toying lazily with the idea of getting into trouble.

The Guardian - Film

In developing countries, the power production is properly less than the request of power or load, and sustaining a system stability of power production is a trouble quietly.

Alexandria Engineering Journal

Since then, his alter ego, Peter Parker, has shared a friendship and rivalry with Johnny Storm, and Mr. Hickman said he was attracted to the character "because he is a version of Johnny - a less successful, more trouble-ridden version, but a version nonetheless".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "less of a trouble" is understandable, prefer "less trouble" for a more concise and grammatically standard expression. For example, instead of "This approach is less of a trouble", say "This approach is less trouble".

Common error

Avoid using "less of a trouble" when a simpler alternative like "less trouble" conveys the same meaning more directly. Overcomplicating your sentence can make your writing sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a trouble" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that something involves a smaller degree of difficulty or inconvenience than something else. Ludwig AI indicates that more common phrasing is simply 'less trouble'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less of a trouble" is understandable, it's less common and grammatically standard than "less trouble". Ludwig AI suggests that using the simpler form, "less trouble" is preferable for conciseness and clarity. As our analysis shows, although acceptable, it's best to opt for alternatives like "less problematic" or "less burdensome" to improve the overall quality and impact of your writing. Choose the phrasing that best fits the situation and context to be effective in communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less problematic

Focuses on reducing issues or difficulties associated with something.

less burdensome

Emphasizes reducing the weight or responsibility involved.

less inconvenient

Highlights a decrease in disruption or difficulty to schedules or plans.

less worrisome

Stresses a reduction in anxiety or concern caused by something.

less complicated

Focuses on simplifying a process or situation.

less challenging

Highlights a decrease in the level of difficulty encountered.

less demanding

Emphasizes a reduction in the effort or resources required.

easier to manage

Focuses on improving control and handling of a situation.

simpler to handle

Highlights the ease with which something can be managed or dealt with.

not as much hassle

Indicates a reduction in petty annoyance or difficulty.

FAQs

What is the difference between "less of a trouble" and "less trouble"?

"Less trouble" is the more common and grammatically standard way to express that something involves fewer difficulties or problems. "Less of a trouble" is understandable but less concise and generally less preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "less of a trouble"?

While technically understandable, it's generally better to use "less trouble" in most contexts. You might use "less of a trouble" when emphasizing the 'kind' or 'degree' of trouble, but even then, rephrasing for clarity is advisable.

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

Alternatives include "less problematic", "less burdensome", or simply "easier", depending on the specific context.

How can I make my writing sound more natural when describing something that causes fewer problems?

Opt for clearer and more direct phrasing like "This method is "easier to use"" or "This solution involves "less effort"" instead of using "less of a trouble".