less powerful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less powerful" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to compare the strength, influence, or effectiveness of something against something else. You can use it in a variety of contexts, such as describing a person, object, or idea. Example 1: "In a world of strong and powerful leaders, she was always seen as less powerful, but her quiet and subtle actions spoke louder than any words could." Example 2: "The new version of the software is less powerful than its predecessor, but it is more user-friendly and efficient." Example 3: "The protests against the government were becoming less powerful as the weeks went on, but the activists refused to give up their fight for change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He could not have seemed less powerful".

The New Yorker

highway for the less powerful Civic.

The New York Times

Because unions have been less powerful?

The Economist

Her American songs were no less powerful.

The New York Times - Books

The chips are less powerful than their Intel equivalents.

The Economist

But the effect proved less powerful than anticipated.

The New York Times

Previous games had mostly used less powerful alternating current.

The New York Times

Japan's cars were less powerful and more dangerous than Detroit's.

The New Yorker

Garcia possesses a stylish but less powerful game.

The New York Times

A less powerful business sector also hindered democracy.

The New York Times

But they are a lot less powerful now.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less powerful", ensure a clear comparison is established. Specify what the subject is less powerful than to provide context and meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "less powerful" without clearly indicating what the subject is being compared to. Without a reference point, the phrase becomes ambiguous and loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less powerful" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a lower degree of power, strength, or influence compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less powerful" serves as a versatile tool for comparison, highlighting a reduction in strength, influence, or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and widely used expression across diverse contexts. While interchangeable with synonyms like "weaker" or "less influential", it's crucial to provide a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Predominantly featured in news and scientific domains, "less powerful" maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. The high frequency of its use underscores its significance in conveying nuanced differences in power dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaker

Direct synonym, indicating a reduction in physical or metaphorical strength.

less influential

Focuses on a reduction in the ability to affect outcomes or decisions.

less effective

Highlights a decrease in the capacity to produce a desired result.

diminished

Emphasizes a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

reduced in strength

More descriptive, specifying the aspect in which something is "less powerful".

less potent

Indicates a reduction in the ability to produce a strong effect or result.

less dominant

Suggests a decrease in controlling or prevailing influence.

subdued

Implies a reduction in intensity or forcefulness.

underpowered

Specifically refers to a lack of sufficient power or force.

lower-performing

Indicates a decrease in the ability to achieve desired results in competitive setting.

FAQs

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

Use "less powerful" to compare the strength or influence of two or more things. For example, "This engine is "less powerful" than the previous model."

What are some alternatives to saying "less powerful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "weaker", "less influential", or "less effective".

Which is correct: "less powerful" or "fewer powerful"?

"Less powerful" is correct when referring to strength, influence or magnitude. "Fewer" is used for countable items.

What's the difference between "less powerful" and "not as powerful"?

"Less powerful" directly compares two things, indicating one has a lower degree of power. "Not as powerful" is a similar comparison, but can sometimes imply a more subtle difference. Both are grammatically correct and often interchangeable.