less rugged than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less rugged than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the durability or toughness of two items or environments. Example: "This new smartphone is less rugged than the previous model, making it more susceptible to damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Litchfield is much smaller and less rugged than Kakadu, but very beautiful.

The Guardian - Travel

The Henry would later evolve into the Winchester '73, the iconic firearm of cowboys, but during the war it was considered less rugged than the Spencer.

The New York Times

Far less rugged than adjacent portions of the plateau in Utah, these tablelands in Arizona consist mainly of plains interrupted by steplike escarpments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

■ Less rugged than the On Café dim sum are the bundles of joy at A Wong in London's Victoria, reviewed here recently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although the loftiest peak in the Austrian Tirol, the Wildspitze (12,382 feet [3,774 metres]), is in the Ötztaler Alps and its highest parts are covered by glaciers, the Central Alps generally are less rugged than the Limestone Alps, and much of their original wood cover has been cleared for pasture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The columnar shape is also fairly compact and portable, though it might be less portable (and is definitely less rugged) than say, a Phillips ShoqBox.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The finer head in white Shorthorn cattle make them less rugged-looking than the larger Charolais.

WikiHow

Why these weren't released simultaneously is beyond me, but at $120 $1000 if you buy this month) it is significantly cheaper than its cousin, though of course less rugged.

TechCrunch

Those islands are lower, less rugged, and less glaciated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Asus Eee PC range is less rugged.

The Guardian - Tech

From the Pyrenees to La Garrotxa, the landscape becomes less rugged.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the ruggedness of items, ensure the comparison is clear and specific. Specify what aspect of ruggedness you are referring to, such as resistance to impact, weather, or wear.

Common error

Avoid vague comparisons using "less rugged than" without providing context. Instead of saying "This phone is less rugged than that one", specify which aspects of ruggedness are being compared: "This phone is less resistant to water damage than that one."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less rugged than" functions as a comparative, primarily used to describe something as having a lower degree of durability or toughness when compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less rugged than" is a grammatically sound comparative used to indicate a lower degree of toughness or durability between two items or environments. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While the phrase appears across diverse sources, it is more prevalent in news, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts. When using "less rugged than", ensure you provide context to clarify which aspect of ruggedness is being compared to avoid overgeneralizations. For alternatives, consider phrases like "not as robust as" or "less durable than".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as robust as

Emphasizes a comparison of robustness, indicating a deficiency in one item.

not as durable as

Highlights a difference in durability, suggesting reduced longevity or resistance.

less sturdy than

Focuses on the lack of sturdiness in comparison to another item.

not quite as tough as

Informal way of expressing a lower level of toughness.

weaker compared to

Directly states a weakness relative to something else.

more delicate than

Suggests fragility and lack of resistance to damage.

more fragile than

Emphasizes the higher susceptibility to breakage or damage.

not built as strongly as

Highlights construction and structural integrity.

of lower build quality than

Indicates a difference in manufacturing and material quality.

not as resilient as

Focuses on the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or toughness.

FAQs

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

Use "less rugged than" to compare the relative durability or resilience of two things. For example, "This backpack is "less rugged than" my old one, so I won't take it hiking."

What's a more formal way to say "less rugged than"?

In a formal context, you could use phrases like "not as robust as" or "exhibits lower durability compared to" to convey a similar meaning to "less rugged than".

Which is correct: "less rugged than" or "not as rugged as"?

Both "less rugged than" and "not as rugged as" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between them depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What can I say instead of "less rugged than" when describing terrain?

When describing terrain, you could use "more gentle", "more rolling", or "less mountainous than" as alternatives to "less rugged than".