less serious than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'less serious than' is correct and it can be used in written English.
For example, "The consequences of this mistake are less serious than we initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less serious than what?

The Washington Post

Legally, negligence is less serious than recklessness.

The New York Times

It turned out to be less serious than first thought.

The New York Times - Sports

Its cash problems, though less serious than they were, are far from over.

The Economist

Nicholas's ankle injury turned out to be less serious than originally thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

Regardless, Clinton was impeached for charges less serious than the ones before us now.

The Washington Post

Prostate cancer is far more common – and, usually, less serious – than most people realise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Testing revealed this episode to be less serious than the first.

The Washington Post

But these risks are much less serious than those associated with general inflation.

Harvard Business Review

Chung's case would appear however to be less serious than that facing Blatter and Platini.

The Guardian - Sport

Harbers from the city council, however, says the problem is less serious than Inside Airbnb suggests.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the severity of situations, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretations. For example, "The delay was unfortunate, but it was "less serious than" a complete system failure".

Common error

Avoid comparing unrelated elements. For example, saying "The movie was "less serious than" the weather" lacks logical connection and weakens the statement. Ensure that the entities being compared can logically be assessed on a scale of seriousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less serious than" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to qualify a noun or situation by indicating that it possesses a lower degree of severity or importance compared to another. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less serious than" serves as a comparative tool to highlight the diminished severity or importance of something relative to another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in written English. It finds application across diverse contexts, with a notable presence in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business domains. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, writers can effectively employ "less serious than" to convey nuanced comparisons in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of lesser consequence than

Directly addresses the importance of the outcome, suggesting a reduced impact.

not as severe as

Emphasizes the intensity or harshness of the situation, suggesting a milder impact.

milder than

Indicates a reduced intensity or force, suggesting a gentler or more moderate effect.

not as critical as

Focuses on criticality, indicating a lower level of urgency or importance.

secondary to

Highlights a supporting or less crucial role compared to something primary.

not as pressing as

Relates to urgency and immediacy, indicating a lower level of priority.

not as alarming as

Focuses on the level of concern or worry, indicating a reduced sense of danger.

of reduced import compared to

Emphasizes the diminished significance or relevance in contrast to another element.

paler in comparison to

Highlights a diminished significance or impact when compared to something else.

subordinate to

Implies a lower hierarchical level or importance, indicating a secondary role.

FAQs

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

You can use "less serious than" to compare the severity or importance of two things. For example, "A minor injury is "less serious than" a major surgery".

What are some alternatives to "less serious than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not as critical as", "not as severe as", or "of lesser consequence than", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less serious than"?

Yes, the phrase "less serious than" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to compare the relative severity or importance of two things.

What's the difference between "less serious than" and "not as serious as"?

The phrases "less serious than" and "not as serious as" are largely interchangeable and convey the same meaning, indicating that one thing is of lower severity or importance compared to another.