less severe than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less severe than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the intensity or seriousness of two situations, indicating that one is not as harsh as the other. Example: "The storm was less severe than the one we experienced last year, causing only minor damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Close up, she looks younger, less severe than on television.

The Guardian

The damage appears to be less severe than originally feared.

The New York Times

The decline was less severe than many analysts had expected.

The Economist

"Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition is, perhaps, substantially less severe than has been argued," said Sigman.

Princeton University

Employment declines were less severe than the previous month, but the average workweek shortened.

The New York Times

That makes a given shock to Nova Scotia less severe than the equivalent to Portugal.

The Guardian

Fortunately for women, female pattern baldness is less severe than the male variety.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were pleased the cut to the BIS budget was less severe than expected.

The Guardian

Other colleagues were less severe than Adler and, as Reid would see it, more imaginative.

The Guardian - Books

Nevertheless, the injuries in rugby are far less severe than those in football.

The New York Times

The state's job losses have actually been less severe than the national average.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the severity of two events or conditions, ensure that the comparison is clear by specifying both subjects being compared. For example, "The economic impact was "less severe than" initially predicted, but still significant."

Common error

Avoid using "less severe than" without clearly defining what is being compared. For instance, stating "The injury was less severe" leaves the reader wondering what it is being compared to, leading to ambiguity. Always provide a clear reference point for the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less severe than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it is used to qualify a noun by indicating a lower degree of intensity or impact compared to something else. This phrase often appears in sentences describing relative effects, consequences, or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less severe than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase. Ludwig's analysis confirms its role in comparing the intensity of two scenarios, signaling that one is less harsh than the other. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Use it to clearly compare situations, but avoid ambiguity by specifying what is being compared. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction adheres to standard English grammar and enjoys widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as serious as

Highlights the difference in seriousness or consequence.

not as intense as

Highlights a lower level of intensity.

not as extreme as

Implies a lower level of extremity or radicalness.

milder compared to

Focuses on a gentler or less intense comparison.

less acute than

Indicates a reduced sharpness or severity.

not as critical as

Emphasizes a difference in criticality or importance.

not as drastic as

Emphasizes a more moderate approach or impact.

lighter than

Conveys a lesser degree of burden or impact.

smaller in scale than

Focuses on the size or scope of something being compared.

easier than

It conveys something is not as difficult or demanding as something else.

FAQs

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

Use "less severe than" to compare the intensity or impact of two situations or conditions, indicating one is milder or not as serious as the other. Example: "The side effects of the new medication are "less severe than" those of the previous treatment".

What are some alternatives to "less severe than"?

You can use alternatives like "not as serious as", "milder compared to", or "not as intense as" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of saying "The punishment was "less severe than" expected", you could say "The punishment was "not as serious as" expected".

Is it correct to say "less severe than"?

Yes, "less severe than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to compare the degree of severity between two things. It is found across various reliable sources, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

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

"Less severe than" is generally more formal and precise, suitable for professional or academic contexts. "Not as bad as" is more informal and can be used in everyday conversation. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but the choice depends on the context and audience.