less paid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less paid" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to describe someone who earns a lower salary or wage compared to others, but the correct expression would be "lower paid." Example: "She is one of the lower paid employees in the company."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"They more or less paid a $3 million retainer.

The New York Times

Many Americans who made far less paid a far higher rate.

The New York Times

"That makes it a lose-lose – families will get less paid parental leave in total and the government won't get its savings either".

The Guardian

"If India can continuously pull less paid, less educated people into the labor pool," Mr. Haney said, "a substantial wage gap will continue to exist".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, conservationist Angelika Zahrnt, in her co-edited book on a post-growth economy, rallies for less paid work and more free time for the workforce.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We want to turn the campaign into a social movement, less paid for by government but with the support of business".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Less pay means less tax revenue for the system.

The New York Times

"Caregivers will in the end receive less pay," she said.

The New York Times

Employed women often received significantly less pay than men doing the same work.

Wikipedia

That is to say, earns less, pays equal.

BMC Health Services Research

If a woman earns less, she pays less in taxes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's earnings, use the phrase "lower paid" instead of "less paid" to adhere to standard grammatical conventions.

Common error

Avoid using "less paid" in formal writing. While it might be understood, "lower paid" is the grammatically accepted form. Proofread carefully to catch this error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less paid" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, intended to modify a noun (typically referring to people or positions) by indicating that the associated salary or wages are lower compared to others. However, Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

32%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less paid" is commonly found across diverse sources such as news articles and scientific publications, it's essential to recognize its grammatical incorrectness. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the accurate and preferred alternative is "lower paid". For clear, grammatically sound communication, especially in formal contexts, opting for "lower paid" or other alternatives like "lesser compensation" is highly recommended. Remember that using accurate grammar enhances your credibility and ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower paid

This is the grammatically correct alternative, indicating a smaller amount of money received for work.

lesser compensation

Focuses on the overall value of payment, not just the monetary aspect.

lower salary

Specifies a fixed, regular payment, typically monthly or annually.

reduced wages

Highlights a decrease in the amount of money earned.

smaller income

Refers to the total amount of money received over a period, from any source.

less remuneration

A more formal term for payment, encompassing all forms of compensation.

decreased earnings

Emphasizes that the amount earned has gone down.

diminished pay

Stresses the reduction in the amount of money received for work.

lower earnings

Simple statement of the fact that someone is earning less

smaller paycheck

Emphasizes the physical form of the salary and highlight in a direct way that is 'smaller'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "less paid"?

The correct way to phrase this is "lower paid". This adheres to standard English grammar conventions.

Is "less paid" grammatically correct?

No, "less paid" is not considered grammatically correct. The preferred phrasing is "lower paid".

What are some alternatives to "less paid"?

Alternatives to "less paid" include "lower salary", "reduced wages", or "smaller income", depending on the specific context.

When should I use "lower paid" instead of "less paid"?

Always use "lower paid" when describing someone who receives a smaller amount of money for their work compared to others. This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.