less soft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less soft" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is not as soft as it could be. For example: "This fabric is less soft compared to the other fabric I bought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

They were less elegant, less soft, than Italian people".

The New Yorker

He began experimenting, mixing dry powders into the rubber in order to make it less soft and sticky.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A less coherent and purposeful United States will have less soft power and network centrality, and will therefore relegate itself to a less powerful position in the world.

Harvard University

The bottom five in the index are Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Brazil and Turkey, suggesting authoritarian regimes opposed to migrants have less soft power.

The Guardian

"And from an Evertonian perspective, I would much rather have had one of the many less soft ones in the league!

The Guardian - Sport

The consonants, depending upon whether they were more or less soft or guttural, sketched a weather map of this unknown country.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It provides clear visualization of the glenohumeral joint, smaller incisions, no deltoid detachment, less soft-tissue dissection, less pain, and more rapid rehabilitation.

Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine

If this were a tad less audience-conscious, if it used music less soft-core than Marcelo Zarvos's and if a few of the sequences had more power, this would be major Pilobolus — but that's too many ifs.

The New York Times - Arts

The image in the mirror is less soft-feminine woman and more hard-edged, which is what you need". The structured jacket still plays a huge part in power dressing, and while the shoulder pads glimpsed in the Commons are not of the Dynasty proportions of the 1980s, padding in that area is still noticeable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Originally proteges of producer Alan Lorber, Boston's Orpheus had escaped the limitations of Lorber's self-styled "Bosstown Sound" by their final album: songs such as I'll Be There are less soft-pop trifles than companions to the swooning existential balladry of Scott Walker's early solo albums.

The Guardian - Music

There is also less soft-tissue transfixation by pins, thereby allowing early physical exercise and partial weight-bearing [28].

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the softness of two items, use "less soft" to clearly indicate a lower degree of softness in one compared to the other. For example, "This cotton shirt is "less soft" than the silk one."

Common error

Avoid using "less soft" to describe a single item in isolation without any comparison. It's better to say "This pillow is firm" rather than "This pillow is "less soft"" if you're not comparing it to another pillow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less soft" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a lower degree of softness. It's used to compare the softness of one item or substance to another, implying that one is softer than the other. Ludwig examples confirm its use in comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less soft" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative adjective phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to describe an object that possesses a lower degree of softness when compared to another. With substantial usage across diverse fields such as science, news, and general discourse, it's vital to use "less soft" when making a direct comparison, and not as an absolute descriptor. Alternatives such as "firmer", "harder", or "not as gentle" may be more appropriate depending on context. Following these tips will ensure correct and impactful usage of the phrase "less soft".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firmer

Describes a condition with increased firmness.

harder

Implies a greater degree of hardness.

not as gentle

Focuses on the lack of gentleness compared to something else.

less yielding

Highlights the reduced ability to be easily bent or shaped.

more rigid

Indicates increased stiffness and inflexibility.

slightly rougher

Indicates a marginal increase in the texture causing friction

somewhat coarse

Highlights a marginal increase in the texture causing friction

not as cushiony

Emphasizes the absence of a cushioning effect.

a bit tougher

Focuses on increased durability or resilience.

less plush

Denotes a lower degree of luxurious softness.

FAQs

How do you use "less soft" in a sentence?

Use "less soft" when comparing the softness of two items. For example, "The blanket is "less soft" than the cashmere sweater."

What is a good alternative to "less soft"?

Alternatives to "less soft" include "firmer", "harder", or "not as gentle", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less soft"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less" is used to indicate a smaller amount or degree of something, and "soft" is an adjective. Therefore, "less soft" correctly indicates a lower degree of softness.

What's the difference between "less soft" and "not soft"?

"Less soft" implies a comparison to something else that is softer. "Not soft" simply means that something lacks softness without making a direct comparison. For instance, a rock is "not soft", while a slightly rough towel is "less soft" than a very smooth one.