less of an individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of an individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is perceived as lacking individuality or personal characteristics compared to others. Example: "In a society that values conformity, some people may feel they are becoming less of an individual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In those days, it was more of a corporate era and less of an individual era.

Columbia University

As with much world-changing art, you can feel that "Migration" is the invention less of an individual artist than of the artist serving as an instrument of invisible, urgent powers.

The New Yorker

As he suffered from illness in his later years, Shostakovich composed his three last quartets: exquisite, tragic masterpieces, projections less of an individual beaten by a regime than of a frail man cornered at last by death.

The New Yorker

"In the absence of other explanations" for such brutal acts, Mr. Acker said, jurors believe a defendant "did it out of pure evil". The evidence to be offered in mitigation could make Mr. Harris seem to the jury "less of an individual who has no semblance of humanity," the professor said.

The New York Times

What is more, we as women should not feel as if our likes and dislikes relegate us to a certain stereotype or make us any less of an individual.

Huffington Post

Even though I am not always an advocate for the messages they send, I use artists like Lady Gaga or even Lil-Wayne as examples of how dressing like everyone else or wearing the same sneakers as everyone makes you less of an individual.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

a) Has an annual out-of-pocket maximum of $7,900 or less for an individual or $15,800 or less for a family.

University of California, Berkeley

The genome institute is spending about $20 million in ARRA money on grants to start-up companies and university teams working on various sequencing technologies aimed at speeding up the process and reducing the cost from the present $48,000 to the goal of $1000 or less for an individual.

Science Magazine

A soda tax is far less intrusive of an individual's liberty than, say, forcing him to wear a seat belt.More questionable is whether governments should force companies to make healthier food.

The Economist

From the point of view of our result of Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation, we claim that there is less possibility of an individual getting Ebola virus for the second time if they survived the first infection.

Advances in Difference Equations

From our study it was also seen that there is less possibility of an individual for getting Ebola virus for the second time if they survived his/her first infection.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "less of an individual", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspects of individuality are diminished. Provide specific examples to support your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "less of an individual" as a vague criticism. Instead of stating someone is "less of an individual" because they follow trends, explain specifically how their choices reflect a lack of personal expression or independent thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of an individual" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to characterize someone or something as diminishing in unique personal qualities or autonomy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less of an individual" is used to describe a decline in unique personal qualities or autonomy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. Related phrases include "more of a conformist" and "lacking individuality". When using this phrase, provide clear context to specify the aspects of individuality being diminished, and avoid overgeneralizations. While its frequency is uncommon, its adaptability and clear meaning make it a valuable descriptive tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking individuality

Directly states the absence of individual characteristics.

less distinctive

Focuses on reduced recognizability and uniqueness.

less unique

Emphasizes the absence of distinct qualities.

more of a conformist

Shifts the focus to increased adherence to societal norms.

losing one's identity

Highlights the erosion of personal identity.

less original

Highlights a decrease in innovative or inventive qualities.

becoming homogenized

Suggests a loss of distinctiveness through blending with others.

less autonomous

Indicates a reduction in self-governance and independence.

more generic

Implies a shift toward common or conventional attributes.

becoming standardized

Implies adherence to a fixed set of criteria or norms, thus reducing individual expression.

FAQs

How can I use "less of an individual" in a sentence?

You can use "less of an individual" to describe someone who conforms excessively to societal norms or lacks unique characteristics. For example, "In a culture that promotes uniformity, some might feel they are becoming "less of an individual"".

What are some alternatives to "less of an individual"?

Alternatives include "more of a conformist", "lacking individuality", or "less unique", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "less of an individual"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, consider the context and ensure your meaning is clear. It implies a decrease in unique personal qualities or independent thought.

What's the difference between "less of an individual" and "not an individual"?

"Less of an individual" suggests a gradual reduction in individuality, while "not an individual" implies a complete absence of it. The former is often used to describe someone conforming to societal norms, while the latter suggests a lack of personal agency or identity.