less patience

USAGE SUMMARY

'less patience' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe a person or situation that is becoming increasingly less tolerant of something. For example, "The teacher had less patience with the disruptive students as the semester went on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have less patience.

The Washington Post

Mr Yeltsin had less patience.

The Economist

Others are exhibiting less patience.

The New York Times

They show less patience, have little time for friends.

The New York Times

But with an instant message, there's less patience".

The New York Times

If Castillo falters, he will have far less patience.

The New York Times - Sports

"There seems to be less patience by everybody, including writers.

The New York Times - Books

But lawmakers from both houses showed far less patience.

The New York Times

We have less patience and we are time poor.

The Guardian

People checking e-mail on small screens have less patience for scrolling through unwanted messages.

The New York Times

For market trackers with less patience, CNBC Real-Time is a good option.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less patience", consider specifying what the lack of patience is directed towards to provide clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone has "less patience" without illustrating the specific trigger or situation causing their impatience. Provide context to make the statement more impactful and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less patience" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to indicate a reduced capacity for tolerance or endurance. Examples illustrate its application in describing people's attitudes or systemic changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Opinion

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less patience" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a decrease in tolerance or forbearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely found in News & Media, books and opinion contexts. When using this phrase, specify the object of the patience to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "reduced tolerance" or "growing impatience" offer nuanced ways to express the same sentiment. Be aware that while similar to "impatience", it specifically highlights a decline in one's ability to endure delays or frustrations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing impatience

Highlights the increasing lack of patience.

reduced tolerance

Emphasizes a lower capacity to accept or handle something.

limited tolerance

Highlights the restriction in tolerance.

diminished tolerance

Similar to reduced tolerance but emphasizes a gradual decrease.

decreased forbearance

Highlights a diminished ability to restrain from reacting.

reduced willingness to wait

Specifies the reduction in the disposition to wait.

shorter fuse

Uses a metaphor to describe a quicker temper or reactivity.

waning endurance

Focuses on the declining ability to withstand difficulties.

declining composure

Focuses on the deteriorating state of calmness.

reduced ability to cope

Highlights less capability of managing or dealing with situations.

FAQs

How can I use "less patience" in a sentence?

You can use "less patience" to describe a decrease in someone's ability to tolerate delays or frustrations. For example, "As the project dragged on, the team had "less patience" for setbacks".

What are some alternatives to saying "less patience"?

Alternatives include "growing impatience", "reduced tolerance", or "shorter fuse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "less patience" or "little patience"?

Both "less patience" and "little patience" are grammatically correct, but "less patience" suggests a relative decrease, while "little patience" implies a general lack of patience.

What's the difference between "less patience" and "impatience"?

"Less patience" indicates a diminishing capacity to tolerate delays or annoyances. "Impatience" refers to the state of being restless or intolerant of delays, and does not necessarily imply a reduction.