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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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less simpler

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less simpler" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "simpler" or "less simple." Example: "This solution is less simple than the previous one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The variance of the process (M_{t}) is explicitly expressed for some (c_{t}^{ ( n )}), although it has less simpler expression than that of the mean value (11).

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Spend less Simple math, tough choices.

News & Media

The New York Times

But in education, it is less simple.

News & Media

The Guardian

Finding a replacement was less simple.

News & Media

The New York Times

Others among the priest violators are less simple villains.

Real life is less simple than the pundits pretend.

Yet this is less simple than it sounds.

News & Media

The Economist

For workers, the verdict on who won was less simple.

News & Media

The New York Times

A stolen debit card number is much less simple.

News & Media

The New York Times

But lately it's become a lot less simple.

Life in Newtown, of course, has never been less simple.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using double comparatives like "less simpler". Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "less simple" or "more complex" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Don't combine "less" with comparatives ending in "-er". Using both creates a redundant and grammatically incorrect phrase. Choose either "less simple" or "simpler" depending on the intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less simpler" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, though grammatically incorrect. Despite its presence in various sources shown by Ludwig, standard English dictates using either "less simple" or "simpler" to express a reduction in simplicity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less simpler" might appear in various texts, it's grammatically incorrect due to the double comparative. As Ludwig AI also highlights, standard English calls for using either "less simple" or "simpler". Depending on the intended nuance, alternatives such as "more complex" or "not as simple" can also be employed. Therefore, to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity, it's best to avoid "less simpler" in formal writing.

FAQs

Is "less simpler" grammatically correct?

No, "less simpler" is grammatically incorrect. It's considered a double comparative. The correct forms are "less simple" or "simpler".

What are some alternatives to "less simpler"?

Instead of "less simpler", you can use phrases like "less simple", "more complex", or "not as simple". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "less simple" instead of "simpler"?

"Less simple" is appropriate when you want to indicate that something has become more complicated compared to a previous state. "Simpler" is used when comparing two things, and indicating one is easier to understand or do than the other.

What does it mean when something is described as "less simple"?

When something is described as "less simple", it means it's more complicated or intricate than it used to be, or more so than something else being compared. It implies an increase in complexity.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: