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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less size
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less size" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to convey a reduction in size or quantity. Example: "We need to find a solution that requires less size for the packaging."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
23 human-written examples
"The less size that the seat structure itself takes up, the more space that's left over for the passenger," Mr. Pozzi said.
News & Media
"We've got less size so we've had to try to compensate for that a little bit more," said Van Gundy, whose team averages 87.7 points a game, third worst in the league.
News & Media
In this paper, we propose a (t, s, k, n -ESIS scheme to achieve the less size of total shadow images an -ESISleschemee of required shadow images in reconstouction when compachievethelesst al.'size, s, k, n)-ESIS scheme.
Here are the sources of the river Maeander, and likewise of another stream of no less size, which bears the name of Catarrhactes (or the Cataract); the last-named river has its rise in the market-place of Celaenae, and empties itself into the Maeander.
every future Number will therefore be Embellished with One or two most Elegant engravings, consisting of the most Extraordinary, Wonderful, and Rare Productions in Nature and Art, drawn and engraved by eminent Artists, among which will be included many Large Quarto Copper-plates, containing extraordinary Representations, which cannot be included in a less Size.
Academia
Kenyon Martin and especially Jefferson are still growing into stardom, but the Nets head toward the playoffs with less size and depth at center than they had last season, without a proven backup for Kidd and with a 33-year-old coach, Lawrence Frank, who, for all his smash reviews, has never faced a moment of playoff stress.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
37 human-written examples
Further analyses of the simulations suggest that solute diffusion is less size-dependent and solute partitioning more size-dependent than was commonly thought.
Science
In the case of NC3 with increased PANI-LSA content (3.01 wt%), the entities have a tendency to less sizes in the range of about 100 300 nm.
Science
If visual representations are less size-sensitive than haptic representations, the cost of size changes should be reduced for VH compared to HV matching.
Science
Angling is assumed to be less size-selective than at least the drift net fishery.
Science
How well it can capture the essence of recovery and rebuilding dynamics in populations harvested differently (e.g., less size-selectively) or in populations with different life histories (e.g., short-lived and early-maturing species) remains to be assessed by future work.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Prefer using "smaller size" or "reduced size" for grammatically correct and clearer communication.
Common error
Avoid using "less" with nouns that can be counted individually. Use "fewer" instead. For example, instead of "less number of items", use "fewer items".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less size" primarily functions as a noun phrase that attempts to describe a reduction in physical dimensions or magnitude. However, it's often considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, as noted by Ludwig AI.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
32%
Academia
16%
Less common in
Formal & Business
4%
Encyclopedias
4%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "less size" is commonly used to indicate a reduction in dimension but is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests alternatives like "smaller size" or "reduced size" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its presence across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, with authoritative sources like The New York Times using it. While the intent is clear, employing grammatically sound alternatives enhances the message's quality and precision.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
smaller size
Direct substitution with a more grammatically sound adjective.
reduced size
Implies a deliberate action to make something smaller.
diminished size
Suggests a decrease, often gradual, in size.
decreased size
Similar to "reduced size" but might imply a natural reduction.
lesser dimensions
Focuses on the physical measurements being smaller.
smaller dimensions
Alternative phrasing to convey reduced measurements.
reduced magnitude
Emphasizes the overall scale or impact is smaller.
smaller magnitude
Alternative phrasing to convey reduced scale.
narrower width
Specific to reducing the width of an object.
shallower depth
Specific to reducing the depth of an object.
FAQs
What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "less size"?
The phrase "less size" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. More appropriate alternatives include "smaller size" or "reduced size".
When should I use "fewer" instead of "less"?
"Fewer" should be used when referring to countable items, while "less" is used for uncountable quantities. For instance, use "fewer cars" but "less traffic".
How can I use "smaller size" in a sentence?
You can use "smaller size" in sentences like: "The new model has a smaller size, making it easier to carry".
Is "less magnitude" a better alternative to "less size"?
While "less magnitude" is grammatically correct, it's more appropriate when discussing impact or importance rather than physical dimensions. Use "smaller size" when referring to physical dimensions.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested