less prosperous than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less prosperous than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the economic success or wealth of one entity to another, indicating that the first is not as wealthy or successful as the second. Example: "The rural areas are often less prosperous than the urban centers, struggling to attract investment and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Why are African-Americans so much less prosperous than whites?

The Economist

Villages high in the Apennines are less prosperous than those of similar elevation in the Alps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though much less prosperous than some of his Lincoln forebears, Thomas was a sturdy pioneer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a result India's northern lower castes tend to be less educated and less prosperous than their southern counterparts.

The New York Times

While millennials are often characterised as optimistic, they face economic challenges that could make them less prosperous than their parents.

The Guardian

Investors poured money and employees poured themselves into companies that were far less prosperous than they appeared.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But it has a less prosperous air than similar communities; its houses are more modest, some less than well maintained.

The New York Times

Then you reach the reception: finally, there is a small foundation logo on the wall, and beside it a few lyrical photographs of children and farmers in much dustier and less prosperous places than Seattle.

The Guardian

As we all know, however, most Asian countries are less prosperous inland than in the coastal regions.

Huffington Post

Are societies, like that of Europe now, which has mostly rejected religious storytellers, less prosperous and peaceful than ones, like Europe back when, that didn't?

The New Yorker

"Digital businesses can locate anywhere in the world, and if we fail to provide the right conditions for them to flourish in the UK, we will become a branch economy, much less prosperous and influential than we could be".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing economic conditions, ensure you clearly define the entities you are comparing to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify 'rural areas' are "less prosperous than" 'urban centers'.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without specifying what is being compared. Saying something is "less prosperous than" without stating the point of comparison makes the statement meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less prosperous than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe a noun by comparing its level of prosperity to that of another noun. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less prosperous than" is a commonly used and grammatically correct comparative phrase that effectively conveys a disparity in economic well-being. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. It is crucial to provide a clear context when using the phrase, specifying what entities are being compared to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like ""not as wealthy as"" or ""not as affluent as"" exist, "less prosperous than" remains a versatile and reliable choice for expressing economic comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as wealthy as

Focuses specifically on wealth, a component of prosperity.

not as affluent as

Emphasizes material wealth and comfort.

economically disadvantaged compared to

Highlights the economic disadvantage relative to another entity.

in a worse financial state than

Directly addresses the financial standing.

with lower economic standing than

Focuses on economic position or status.

less well-off than

A more general term indicating a lower standard of living.

struggling more than

Implies a greater degree of difficulty in achieving economic stability.

not as successful financially as

Focuses on financial success as the measure of comparison.

poorer than

A more direct and simple comparison of wealth.

not as privileged as

Highlights the lack of advantages compared to others.

FAQs

How can I use "less prosperous than" in a sentence?

Use "less prosperous than" to compare the economic status of two entities. For example, "Small towns are often "less prosperous than" large cities."

What's a good alternative to "less prosperous than"?

Alternatives include "not as wealthy as", "not as affluent as", or "economically disadvantaged compared to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not as prosperous as" instead of "less prosperous than"?

Yes, "not as prosperous as" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative to "less prosperous than".

What factors determine if a region is "less prosperous than" another?

Factors include income levels, employment rates, access to resources, and overall economic stability. If one region has significantly lower values in these areas, it can be described as "less prosperous than" another.