less safe

USAGE SUMMARY

'less safe' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used as an adjective to describe a noun phrase. For example, you can say "This new technology offers fewer security features, making it less safe than other options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Probably less safe.

The New Yorker

That makes them less safe.

The New York Times

I feel less safe".

The New York Times - Health

Therefore, Prevent will make us less safe".

Independent

It makes me feel less safe".

The Guardian

He responded, "This is less safe".

The New York Times

Honor's parents are less safe.

The New York Times - Books

Americans wd be less safe.

The Washington Post

And everybody is less safe.

The New York Times

I think spying makes us less safe.

The New Yorker

They have made America less safe...

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the safety of two options, use "less safe" to clearly indicate which one poses a higher risk. For instance: "Traveling by car is often considered "less safe" than traveling by plane, statistically speaking."

Common error

Avoid using "less safe" without a clear comparison. Saying something is simply "less safe" lacks context. Instead, specify what it's less safe than, or for whom. For example, instead of "This neighborhood is less safe", try "This neighborhood is "less safe" than it was five years ago" or "This neighborhood is "less safe" for pedestrians at night."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less safe" functions as a comparative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a lower degree of safety compared to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it describing environments, actions, and conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less safe" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something poses a higher risk of harm compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a comparative adjective. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to inform or caution about potential dangers. While alternatives like "riskier" or "more dangerous" exist, "less safe" offers a clear and direct way to communicate reduced security or increased vulnerability. Remember to provide context when using "less safe", specifying what it's being compared to for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less secure

Indicates a reduction in overall safety and protection.

not as secure

Focuses on the lack of protection or safety measures.

less protected

Focuses on the absence of safeguards or defenses.

more dangerous

Indicates a higher level of risk than "less safe".

riskier

A more concise and informal way to say "less safe".

more hazardous

Emphasizes the potential for harm or damage.

more vulnerable

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or attack.

more exposed

Suggests a lack of cover or shielding from danger.

at greater risk

A more formal and emphatic way to express reduced safety.

under greater threat

Highlights the presence of a specific danger or menace.

FAQs

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

Use "less safe" to compare the relative safety of two or more things. For example, "Walking alone at night is "riskier", making it "less safe" than walking with a group."

What are some alternatives to saying "less safe"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more dangerous", "riskier", or "not as secure".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less safe"?

Yes, "less safe" is grammatically correct. It uses "less" as a comparative adjective to indicate a lower degree of safety.

What's the difference between "less safe" and "less secure"?

"Less safe" generally refers to the potential for physical harm or danger. "Less secure" can also refer to physical safety, but it more often implies a lack of protection from threats like theft or cyberattacks.