less qualified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less qualified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the qualifications of two or more individuals, indicating that one has fewer qualifications than another. Example: "In the hiring process, we found that the candidate was less qualified than the others we interviewed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Melissa said, "As each year passes, you feel less qualified.

The New Yorker

The nonresidents included thousands of students who were less qualified than admitted Californians, the audit said.

The New York Times

Research has found that those words cause people to be viewed as less qualified.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In other words, the more a school resegregated, the less qualified the teachers became.

The New Yorker

Being a young female does not make you less qualified to be a brilliant social worker.

The Guardian

Can you remember a presidential candidate less qualified for the office?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Others were denied promotions that were given out to less-qualified men.

The Guardian - Opinion

That means that the experiment with granting loans to less-qualified buyers worked to a point.

The New York Times

It leads to schools with higher concentrations of poverty, less-qualified teachers, weaker curriculums and lower test scores.

The New York Times

Critics of grouping also say the lower levels tend to get fewer resources as well as less-qualified teachers.

The New York Times

Mr. Eissler said for-profit programs were no more likely to turn out less-qualified teachers than their nonprofit competitors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple candidates, use "less qualified" to objectively highlight discrepancies in skills, experience, or credentials without resorting to subjective judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "less qualified" when the requirements are absolute and non-negotiable. Instead of saying someone is "less qualified" for a role requiring a specific certification, state that they "do not meet the minimum qualifications".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less qualified" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often a person or candidate) to indicate they possess fewer qualifications than another entity. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage in various contexts, such as comparing job applicants or assessing suitability for a role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less qualified" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who has fewer qualifications than someone else. According to Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in contexts like news, science and business, and sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use it. While you can replace it with similar terms such as "not as qualified" or "underqualified", make sure the qualifications are clearly defined and based on factual evidence to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as qualified

Replaces "less" with "not as", offering a more direct comparison of qualifications.

lower qualified

Uses "lower" instead of "less", emphasizing a hierarchical difference in qualifications.

not sufficiently qualified

Emphasizes the lack of adequate qualifications for a particular purpose.

underqualified

A single-word alternative meaning lacking the necessary qualifications.

deficient in qualifications

More formal, highlighting a specific shortage in required qualifications.

lacking the necessary skills

Focuses on the absence of specific skills needed.

less experienced

Highlights a lack of practical experience as a contributing factor to being less qualified.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating that someone doesn't meet the required standards.

not meeting the requirements

Highlights the failure to fulfill specific criteria.

at a disadvantage

Indicates that someone's qualifications put them in a less favorable position compared to others.

FAQs

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

You can use "less qualified" to compare the qualifications of two or more people, or to describe someone who does not fully meet the requirements for a job or task. For example, "The hiring manager felt that candidate A was "more qualified" than candidate B, making candidate B "less qualified" for the role."

What are some alternatives to saying "less qualified"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "not as qualified", "underqualified", or "lacking the necessary skills" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "less qualified" in a formal setting?

Yes, "less qualified" is appropriate in formal settings, especially when providing objective assessments or comparisons. However, ensure that your assessment is based on factual criteria and avoids subjective opinions.

What's the difference between "less qualified" and "unqualified"?

"Less qualified" indicates that someone has some of the necessary qualifications but not as many or as strong as others. "Unqualified", on the other hand, means someone does not meet the minimum requirements at all. It's a matter of degree: "less qualified" implies a comparative deficiency, while "unqualified" suggests a complete lack of the essential qualifications.