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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less points
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
34 human-written examples
"There has only been one season where you have needed 76 points for that [fourth place] and on average it's always been a lot less points.
News & Media
This has led us to research for a more efficient algorithm, which discards less points by calculating several sub-correlations.
Science
Team boss Stefano Domenicali said: "We have less points than we should have given the performance of the car.
News & Media
The algorithm uses less points for the linear prediction, but the resolution obtained is improved due to the zoom ability of the subband-decomposition.
Science
This grid contains much less points than a standard Cartesian grid and allows us to make realistic 3-dimensional simulations at a reduced cost, with a comparable accuracy.
Classification graphs for countries have similar structure, but results may vary more due to the less points in dataset, and since more uncertainty.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
24 human-written examples
It's like "The Thought Gang," only less so: less energy, less point.
News & Media
"Do what?" "This," he said, more or less pointing at her. "But you're mine," she said.
News & Media
Remember when most people couldn't even pronounce Vieques, much less point it out on a map?
News & Media
Mr. Obama has been far less pointed in his public remarks, prompting critics to accuse him of undermining the issue.
News & Media
So history becomes less point-by-point narrative than atmosphere and ambient music, increasingly tense and foreboding as the group's split-up nears.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing scores or rankings, ensure the context is clear. "Less points" often implies a negative outcome or lower achievement compared to others. Be precise with your wording to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Remember that "less" is generally used for uncountable nouns, while "fewer" is used for countable nouns. While "points" are countable, using "less points" is common and accepted, especially in informal contexts. For formal writing, "fewer points" might be preferred.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less points" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating a smaller quantity of points. It is used to express a deficiency or reduction in a numerical score or total, as shown in Ludwig's examples.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Science
33%
Wiki
21%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "less points" is a common phrase used to indicate a smaller quantity of points, often in the context of scores or rankings. While grammatically "fewer points" might be preferred in formal settings, "less points" is widely accepted and understood, according to Ludwig. The phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles, demonstrating its broad applicability. The analysis suggests a neutral register, making it suitable for both informal and semi-formal communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
fewer points
Focuses on the quantity being reduced, emphasizing a numerical difference.
lower score
Highlights the resulting score being at a diminished value.
reduced points
Implies an active reduction or deduction of points.
decreased points
Similar to 'reduced points', but can suggest a more gradual decline.
diminished score
More formal; emphasizes a weakening or lessening of the score.
smaller point total
Emphasizes the sum of points being smaller.
a deficit of points
Highlights a shortfall or lack in the points total.
not as many points
Expresses the difference in a more descriptive, less direct way.
points disadvantage
Highlights the negative consequence of having fewer points.
short on points
Suggests a lack or deficiency in the total points accumulated.
FAQs
How can I use "less points" in a sentence?
You can use "less points" to indicate a lower score or achievement compared to a previous score or another person's score. For example, "The team scored "less points" in the second half."
What's the difference between "less points" and "fewer points"?
While both phrases are used to indicate a smaller quantity of points, "fewer points" is grammatically more correct because "points" are countable. However, "less points" is commonly used and understood, especially in informal contexts.
Which is correct, "less points" or "lower points"?
"Less points" refers to a smaller quantity of points, while "lower points" isn't typically used. Instead, consider using phrases like "lower score" or "fewer points".
What are some alternatives to saying "less points"?
Alternatives include "fewer points", "lower score", or "reduced points", depending on the specific context.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested