less rules

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less rules" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "fewer rules." You can use it when discussing a situation where there are not as many regulations or guidelines in place.
Example: "The new policy aims to create a more flexible work environment with fewer rules to encourage creativity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Here there's less rules and less fear.

The New York Times

Compared with the Mafia in Italy, Mr. Gurov said, the Vory "have less rules but more severe rules".

The New York Times

"The basic rules of the Sun are that there should be less rules, less tax, opportunity through education, the instilling of ambition into everyone in the country and social mobility through education, one of the things we've lost".

The Guardian

But the CPI for which they are famous is based on a definition of corruption as "the misuse of entrusted power for private gain" which more or less rules out any thoughts about the private sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

There has been considerable discussion about the U.S. reporting standards becoming less rules based, similar to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Accounting, Organizations and Society

When I went to college I had significantly less rules and restrictions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"The recession more or less ruled it out.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the 1970s a godfather of the Bombay mafia, Vardarajan Mudaliyar, more or less ruled it.

The Economist

Do we really need less rule-following reporters and more personalities?

The New York Times

Since then, alas, NASA's Curiosity rover has more or less ruled such a discovery out.

The Economist

The worst problem, however, is that they don't work.There is no evidence to support the belief that more rules lead to less rule breaking.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical accuracy, replace "less rules" with "fewer rules" as "rules" is a countable noun. Consider using alternative phrases like "reduced regulations" or "simplified guidelines" for more formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns like "rules". "Less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water", "less time"). Instead, use "fewer" when referring to a smaller number of countable items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less rules" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase, aiming to express a reduction in the quantity of regulations or guidelines. Though common, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, recommending "fewer rules" instead.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less rules" is relatively common, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "fewer rules". The phrase is often used to advocate for deregulation and simplification, with a preference for contexts that benefit from greater flexibility. Ludwig AI flags the phrase as grammatically incorrect, while the examples demonstrate its widespread use. Therefore, when communicating in formal settings, replacing "less rules" with a more appropriate alternative, such as "fewer rules", "reduced regulations", or "simplified guidelines", is recommended. The primary contexts where the phrase appears are News & Media and Science, which highlights its occurrence in general discourse rather than formal academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer rules

Corrects the grammatical error by using "fewer" for countable nouns.

reduced regulations

Emphasizes the reduction of formal regulations instead of general rules.

simplified guidelines

Focuses on making existing guidelines easier to understand and follow.

deregulation

Implies the removal of regulations, often in a business or economic context.

relaxed standards

Suggests that the criteria or benchmarks are made less strict.

less oversight

Highlights a reduction in supervision or control.

more flexibility

Shifts the focus to increased adaptability and freedom from constraints.

less bureaucracy

Emphasizes the reduction of complex and often inefficient administrative procedures.

streamlined process

Focuses on making a process more efficient by removing unnecessary steps or rules.

limited constraints

Highlights the presence of only a few restrictions or limitations.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "less rules"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "fewer rules". "Less" is used with uncountable nouns, while "fewer" is used with countable nouns like "rules".

What is the difference between "less rules" and "fewer rules"?

"Less" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), while "fewer" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer rules"). Using "less" with countable nouns is a common grammatical error.

What can I say instead of "less rules" in a formal context?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "reduced regulations", "simplified guidelines", or "decreased restrictions".

How can I remember when to use "less" versus "fewer"?

A helpful tip is to remember that if you can count the items individually, use "fewer". If you're referring to a general quantity that can't be counted individually, use "less". For example, "fewer apples" but "less apple juice".