less sharp than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less sharp than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the sharpness of two objects or ideas, indicating that one is not as sharp as the other. Example: "The knife is less sharp than it was last week, making it difficult to cut through the vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Reasonable, though much less sharp than Fox's Ice Age.

The Guardian

I remember my disappointment being less sharp than I'd expected.

The Guardian - Sport

Disappointments, when they come, are less sharp than they once were.

The Guardian

A muddy picture will look less sharp than one that has true blacks.

The New York Times - Tech

As the report says, inequality of income is less sharp than inequality of wealth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Polls suggest that the popular backlash against the economic system has been less sharp than the left expected.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

So, for example, the best scoring model for eve 2 with three regulators (Hb, Gt and Bcd) can produce a reasonable although less sharp fit than when Kr is included, but making use of this model would restrict our ability to consider Kr mutant data.

eLife

Kosovo is political dynamite.Mr Papandreou is less sharp and punchy than Mr Pangalos.

The Economist

The distinction between migraine and tension-type headache is far less sharp in children than adults.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

We also find a truncation in the ingredient popularity distribution, but the truncation is less sharp for ingredients than for recipes (cf. Figure 2).

EPJ Data Science

As anyone who has flown out of a cloud knows, the boundaries of a cloud are a lot less sharp up close than they can appear on the ground.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the sharpness of two items, ensure that the context clearly indicates what aspect of "sharpness" you are referring to (e.g., visual clarity, mental acuity, cutting ability).

Common error

Avoid using "less sharp than" when comparing qualities that are not directly related to sharpness. For example, saying "His argument was less sharp than his knife" is confusing because arguments are not sharp in the same way a knife is. Instead, consider using a more appropriate adjective such as "incisive" or "persuasive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less sharp than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes a quality (sharpness) and indicates that something possesses that quality to a lesser degree compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less sharp than" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate that something possesses a lower degree of sharpness compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, and while its register is generally neutral to informal, it can be adapted to various writing styles. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the aspect of "sharpness" being compared and avoid using it in situations where sharpness is not an appropriate descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as sharp as

Replaces "less sharp than" with a more direct comparison using "as...as".

duller than

Substitutes "less sharp" with the direct antonym "duller".

not quite as crisp as

Uses "crisp" as a synonym for "sharp", suitable for describing images or sounds.

not so acute as

Replaces "sharp" with "acute", offering a slightly more formal tone.

not as keen as

Uses "keen" as a synonym for "sharp", implying a lack of intensity or precision.

lacking the edge of

Employs a more figurative expression, indicating a deficiency in sharpness or intensity.

not as defined as

Substitutes "sharp" with "defined", useful for describing visual clarity.

somewhat blunter than

Uses "blunter" as an antonym for "sharp", emphasizing a lack of precision.

not as focused as

Replaces "sharp" with "focused", suitable for contexts involving mental clarity or attention.

a bit more blurred than

Focuses on the opposite of sharpness, using "blurred" to describe a lack of clarity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less sharp than" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "not as acute as" or "not as keen as". These options offer a slightly elevated level of diction while maintaining the same core meaning.

What's a simpler way to say "less sharp than"?

A simpler alternative is "not as sharp as" or simply "duller than". These options are more direct and easier to understand in everyday conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "less sharp than" in writing?

Use "less sharp than" when you want to make a direct comparison between two items or concepts, indicating that one possesses a lower degree of sharpness. This can apply to physical objects (e.g., "The blade is less sharp than it used to be") or abstract concepts (e.g., "His wit was less sharp than usual").

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "less sharp than"?

Avoid using "less sharp than" in contexts where "sharpness" is not the appropriate descriptor. For instance, if you're describing someone's intelligence, consider alternatives like "less astute than" or "less perceptive than".