less required

USAGE SUMMARY

"less required" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It typically means something that is not as necessary or essential as something else. Example: "In order to save money, we decided that buying the designer shoes was less required than paying the rent on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Another hunch: men who win big literary prizes are rarely asked if they are "surprised", much less required to be.

The Guardian - Books

In pre-Revolutionary Boston, merchants and government officials were often at odds, because economics more or less required some merchants to break the law.

The New Yorker

The UN overview said funding is needed mainly for running costs, with less required for investment now that most of the infrastructure is in place.

The Guardian

"It seemed very one-sided, with many commitments and obligations on my part, and much less required of the people I was buying from," he says.

The New York Times

He was not just an ardent monarchist more or less required in Thailand but also a flagwaver for army rule and a minister in right-wing regimes.

The Economist

In the search for a solution to the banking crisis, Matthew Elliot is right to argue for the interests of the taxpayer and against nationalisation, but an effective long-term solution is none the less required.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's a simple concept, but spending less requires discipline.

Independent

"Our democracy does not allow, much less require, decision-making by referendum," he wrote.

The Guardian

Our democracy does not allow, much less require, decision-making by referendum.

The Guardian - Opinion

The latter more or less requires growth-stage capital.

TechCrunch

But this party trick of packing more into less requires something to give.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less required", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being compared. For example, "Less technical skill is required for this task compared to the previous one."

Common error

Avoid using "less required" without a clear comparison. Saying "Less effort is required" is vague; instead, specify what requires less effort: "Less effort is required to assemble this model compared to the older version."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less required" functions as a comparative adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a diminished necessity or obligation. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less required" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey a reduced need or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for application across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal communications. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides a clear comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "less necessary" or "not as essential" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in nuance. The phrase is considered neutral in register, and its frequent use across various authoritative sources underscores its acceptance and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less necessary

Focuses on the diminished need for something, emphasizing essentiality.

less needed

Highlights a reduced demand or usefulness.

not as essential

Emphasizes a lower level of importance or criticality.

not as vital

Underscores a decreased significance in terms of importance.

less crucial

Signifies a reduced importance in determining an outcome.

less mandatory

Indicates a weaker obligation or compulsion.

less compulsory

Similar to 'less mandatory', but often implies a formal or legal context.

not as obligatory

Emphasizes that something is not strictly enforced or demanded.

not strictly necessary

Clarifies that something is optional rather than essential.

not urgently needed

Indicates a reduced time sensitivity or immediacy.

FAQs

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

You can use "less required" to indicate that something is not as necessary or essential as something else. For example, "With the new software update, manual input is "less required" than before".

What is a good alternative to "less required"?

Alternatives include "less necessary", "not as essential", or "not urgently needed", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less required"?

Yes, "less required" is grammatically correct. It's commonly used to express that something is not as necessary or crucial as something else.

What's the difference between "less required" and "not required"?

"Less required" implies a reduced need or obligation, whereas "not required" means it is completely unnecessary or optional. For example, "Less sugar is required" means you can use a smaller amount, while "Sugar is not required" means you don't need to use any at all.