less penetrating

USAGE SUMMARY

"less penetrating" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is not as effective in reaching or affecting a target, whether literally or metaphorically. An example: "The new formula is less penetrating than the previous version, resulting in a milder effect." Alternative expressions include "less intense" and "less impactful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

His 18th-century violins were less penetrating; they also played at a lower pitch.

The New York Times - Arts

It doesn't require a code-cracker to make it out: clarity doesn't make it less penetrating, just more lovable.

The Guardian

Comic Relief is nearly the same age as a smaller, but no less penetrating innovation I'm particularly proud of - the Video Diaries/Video Nation project.

The Guardian

The cultural reach of state-sponsored anthems is arguably less penetrating than the force of commercial culture – that is, Disney – which has a long history of putting its foot in it and offending large groups of people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Joking apart, I think prosecco can work better than champagne as a toast, not least on New Year's Eve, when its sweetness, softness and slightly less penetrating acidity may be more in tune with your palate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The weld bead shape for underwater wet welding are more spread out and less penetrating than air welds.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"The market for services is far greater and much less penetrated than the network equipment market," he added.

The New York Times

In its latest filing, the company said it was committed to building out its presence in "less penetrated markets".

The New York Times

India, as a relatively less penetrated market, appears to hold great potential for getting a large volume of users onboard.

TechCrunch

For indoor office environments, is the default value [22]; however, here, the small cell network is assumed to be deployed in a general domain including outdoor urban areas where there are less penetrated walls and floors.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But her questions proved less than penetrating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical phenomena, ensure the context clearly indicates what is doing the penetrating and what it is penetrating. For example, "The light was less penetrating due to the cloud cover."

Common error

Avoid using "less penetrating" when you actually mean "less effective" or "less influential". While related, "penetrating" specifically refers to the act of entering or permeating, not just a general lack of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less penetrating" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of something, indicating that it has a reduced ability to enter, permeate, or affect something else. Ludwig examples show this in both literal (physical penetration) and figurative (influence) contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less penetrating" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something with a reduced ability to permeate or affect something else. Ludwig AI confirms it appears in both scientific and general contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Be mindful of the specific meaning related to permeation or entry, and consider alternatives like ""not as pervasive"" or ""less invasive"" to ensure accurate and effective communication. The frequency is uncommon, so pay attention to the context to see if there are better alternatives to express your ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as pervasive

Focuses on the extent of spread or influence rather than the act of entering.

less invasive

Emphasizes the gentler or less disruptive nature of the action.

weaker diffusion

Highlights the reduced dispersion or spread of something.

reduced impact

Shifts the focus to the diminished effect or consequence.

not as intense

Concentrates on the lower degree of strength or force.

less profound

Indicates a shallower or less significant effect.

milder influence

Suggests a gentler and less forceful effect.

superficial effect

Highlights that the impact is only on the surface and doesn't reach deep.

limited reach

Focuses on the restricted scope or range of something.

attenuated effect

Implies a weakening or reduction of the effect.

FAQs

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

Use "less penetrating" to describe something that doesn't permeate or affect as deeply or intensely as something else. For example, "The new laser is "less invasive" because it's less penetrating than the older model."

What is a good substitute for "less penetrating"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not as pervasive", "less invasive", or "weaker diffusion". The best choice depends on what aspect of "penetrating" you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "less penetrating" and "less effective"?

"Less penetrating" specifically refers to the ability to enter or permeate something. "Less effective" is a broader term that simply means something doesn't work as well. A treatment could be less penetrating and still be effective, or vice versa.

Is it correct to say something is "less penetrated"? How does it compare to "less penetrating"?

While "less penetrated" can be grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. "Less penetrated" describes something that has been entered or permeated to a lesser degree. "Less penetrating" describes something with a reduced capacity to enter or permeate. For example: "The market is "less penetrated"" vs "a less penetrating light".