less of us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a smaller number of people or a reduction in a group. Example: "If we don't work together, there will be less of us to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Americans' role as the beacon of liberty in the world requires no less of us.

The Guardian - Tech

There's a strong instinct in all of us to hide our flaws and mistakes away, lest others think less of us.

Forbes

Daily chores would demand less of us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Without him in it, there's less of us, too.

The New Yorker

I believe that Jesus asks no less of us".

The New York Times

We believe the Gospel asks no less of us".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

There's less chance of us throwing it away".

The Guardian - Music

They have, consequently, become less afraid of us.

The Guardian

More or less all of us have followed a digital yellow brick road in journalism.

The Guardian

I think, more or less, each of us today, maybe more than a hundred years ago, has this feeling".

The New Yorker

The well-meaning but less skeptical of us took her at her word.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of us", ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a quantifiable reduction within a specific group. For countable nouns, "fewer of us" is often grammatically preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to people or other countable entities. Although commonly heard, "fewer of us" is the grammatically correct alternative when discussing a reduced number of individuals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of us" functions as a quantifier, indicating a smaller portion or reduced number within a group. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to express scarcity or decline. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of us" is a commonly used phrase to indicate a reduction in the number of people, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally considered grammatically correct, using "fewer of us" is often preferred in more formal contexts when referring to countable entities. Ludwig examples highlight its diverse applications across news, media, and other forms of communication. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing scarcity or decline within a group. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is considered grammaticaly sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer of us

Replaces "less" with "fewer", which is grammatically more appropriate when referring to countable nouns like people.

a smaller number of us

Substitutes "less" with a more formal and descriptive phrase.

a reduced number of us

Emphasizes the reduction in quantity within the group.

a dwindling number of us

Suggests a gradual decrease in the number of people.

a declining number of us

Similar to "dwindling", highlighting the decreasing trend.

not as many of us

Uses a more informal and comparative structure.

a scarcity among us

Shifts the focus to the scarcity or lack within the group.

a shortage among us

Similar to "scarcity", indicating a deficiency.

a paucity among us

Uses a more formal term, "paucity", to denote a small quantity.

a more limited group of us

Emphasizes the restricted size of the group.

FAQs

When should I use "less of us" versus "fewer of us"?

"Less of us" is generally used for uncountable things. When referring to people, which are countable, it's more grammatically correct to use "fewer of us".

What are some alternative phrases for "less of us"?

Alternatives include "a smaller number of us", "a reduced number of us", or "not as many of us", depending on the context.

Is "less of us" considered formal or informal?

While widely used, "less of us" leans towards informal usage. In formal writing, consider "a smaller number of us" or "fewer of us" for greater precision.

How can I use "less of us" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that the context clearly refers to a reduction in quantity or number within a group. For example, "If we don't get involved, there will be "less of us" to carry the burden."