less sole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less sole" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison or reduction related to "sole," but without context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "I prefer shoes with less sole for better flexibility."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He actually owns 94% of Bhs, and is likewise more or less sole proprietor of Arcadia.

The Guardian - Business

The majority of physicians working in the private clinic kept practicing in a more or less sole fashion, and physicians working in the hospital family medicine unit maintained their usual clinical and medical training dynamic.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In our little family, Jared is more or less the sole breadwinner, and I'm usually at home making sure our two children don't stick their diminutive flatware in the outlets — which is to say, our roles aren't just hetero-normative but old-school hetero-normative.

The New York Times

That prospect gains an extra spice because of America's role in the region as more or less the sole source of security, through its bases in Japan, South Korea and the Pacific, and through its quarter-century-old security treaty with Japan.

The Economist

The development of agriculture made hunting less man's sole life support, but he still pursued it to protect crops, flocks, or herds as well as for food.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Given the likely advantages of the hybrid rubber sole (less susceptibility to tripping, better slip resistance on non-icy surfaces), this type of sole should contribute to a decrease in fall accidents; however, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness under a wider range of test conditions.

Applied Ergonomics

Dinner shall last no more than four hours, but could be less, in the sole discretion of Sarah Palin.* Governor Palin reserves the right to refuse dinner with a winning bidder if, in her sole discretion, the winning bidder is not a suitable bidder based on her subjective standards of suitability, professionalism, background and other factors.

Huffington Post

Consider our investment in the housing market: Since the federal government seized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two mortgage giants and the Federal Housing Administration have more or less been the sole sources of backing for new mortgages and now have $5.4 trillion on their books.

Huffington Post

She preferred the ones with less built-up soles, saying the Ryn and Chung Shi shoes were "not worth the expense".

The New York Times

The mean salary is less than 300 Soles per month for 40% of the sampled population, which reveals an extreme poverty of the respondents (the mean salary is 1435 Soles per month (Instituto Nacionale de Estadistica E Informatica (INEI) 2013).

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Our results show that the respondents estimate that natural hazards are more important that the corruption and the fact of living with less than 5 Soles per day (Fig. 2).

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what aspect of the "sole" you are reducing or comparing. For example, instead of "less sole", use "thinner sole" or "less sole cushioning".

Common error

Avoid using "less sole" when you actually mean "fewer soles" or a "thinner sole". "Less" refers to uncountable nouns, while "fewer" refers to countable nouns. Clarify the intended meaning to improve communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less sole" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe a reduced quantity or quality of the sole. However, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical incorrectness. In practice, its meaning is often unclear without further context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less sole" is grammatically questionable and has limited real-world usage. Ludwig AI confirms this, identifying the phrase as incorrect. Although it appears in various contexts, including news media, science, and encyclopedias, it's often unclear without additional clarifying information. For better communication, it's recommended to use more specific alternatives, such as "thinner sole", "fewer soles", or "reduced sole thickness" depending on the intended meaning. When describing footwear, for example, specify if you're referring to less cushioning or a reduced thickness to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller sole

This alternative focuses on the size of the sole, suggesting a reduction in its dimensions.

thinner sole

This alternative emphasizes a reduction in the thickness of the sole.

fewer soles

This suggests a reduction in the number of soles, which might apply in contexts where multiple soles are considered.

reduced sole

This is a general term indicating that the sole has been diminished in some way, but doesn't specify how.

minimal sole

This indicates the sole is present in its smallest possible form, emphasizing its reduced nature.

less of a sole

This phrase suggests that the feature described as a sole is diminished or not as prominent.

diminished sole support

This focuses on reduced support provided by the sole, typically related to footwear.

sole is lacking

This implies the sole is deficient or incomplete in some aspect.

sole is inadequate

This indicates the sole is not sufficient for the intended purpose.

sole provides less cushioning

This emphasizes a reduction in the cushioning provided by the sole.

FAQs

How can I use "less sole" correctly in a sentence?

While grammatically questionable, you could use "less sole" if you're comparing the amount of sole material or thickness. For example, "These shoes have "less sole" than those boots, making them more flexible."

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "less sole"?

Consider alternatives like "thinner sole", "fewer soles", or "reduced sole thickness" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, "This boot features a "thinner sole" for increased sensitivity."

Is "less sole" considered proper English?

No, "less sole" is not considered proper English. It's better to specify what you mean, such as "less sole support" or ""thinner sole"", to avoid ambiguity.

What does "less sole" imply when describing footwear?

It usually implies a reduction in the amount of material used in the sole of the shoe, potentially affecting cushioning, support, or durability. A more specific phrase like "reduced sole cushioning" would be more informative.