less strongly than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less strongly than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the intensity or degree of one thing in relation to another, indicating that one is not as strong as the other. Example: "She feels less strongly than her friend about the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I feel less strongly than I did.

The Guardian

Flat prices have performed much less strongly than, for example, detached houses and are now falling.

The Guardian - Business

I feel no less strongly than these Hamas people talking about resistance.

The New York Times

For Arnett, the particulars of Wilkin's analysis registered less strongly than the ranking.

The New Yorker

In most cases, fruits and vegetables inhibited PhIP genotoxicity less strongly than IQ genotoxicity.

Mutation Research-Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis

During subsequent cooling, inclusions refaceted, although less strongly than during heating.

Acta Materialia

I'd be interested to know if the Blue Ribbon Network features more or less strongly than before.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arsenite adsorbs less strongly than arsenate in the typical pH range of natural water and is more mobile.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

GST, used as a control, was reacted an order of magnitude less strongly than did GST-BT22 and GST-BT23.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Kindergarten reading skills and scores on attention measures — where youngsters with A.D.H.D. falter — also predicted later academic success, but less strongly than math scores did.

The New York Times - Health

People under 50 are more likely to think that the country is better off with President Obama -- but less strongly than those over 50.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the impact of two different factors, use "less strongly than" to clearly show which factor has a weaker effect. For instance: "While both policies had an impact, the first affected the economy "less strongly than" the second policy did".

Common error

Avoid using "less strongly than" when you actually mean "less frequently than". "Strongly" refers to intensity, not how often something happens. For example, say "He visits his family less frequently than his sister does", not "less strongly than" his sister does.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less strongly than" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or adjective, indicating a lower degree of intensity or strength compared to another element. Ludwig examples illustrate how it is used to compare effects, feelings, or relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less strongly than" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate a lower degree of intensity or strength. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, it effectively communicates relative differences. For more casual settings, consider using alternatives like "not as strongly as". When writing, be mindful of differentiating intensity from frequency to avoid misapplication. Examples are found in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as strongly as

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

weaker than

Substitutes "strongly" with "weaker", focusing on the degree of strength.

less intensely than

Replaces "strongly" with "intensely" to focus on the level of intensity.

to a lesser extent than

Uses a more formal phrasing to indicate a smaller degree or scope.

to a smaller degree than

Uses a more formal structure to express the difference in magnitude.

not so much as

Emphasizes the lower degree of intensity compared to something else.

with less force than

Highlights the reduced amount of force in the comparison.

not nearly as much as

Adds emphasis to the difference in degree or intensity.

not quite as powerfully as

Focuses on power or force as the aspect being compared.

to a reduced degree compared to

Expresses the comparative relationship in a more verbose and descriptive way.

FAQs

How can I use "less strongly than" in a sentence?

Use "less strongly than" to compare the intensity or degree of two things. For example: "The evidence supports this claim, but "less strongly than" originally thought."

What is a good alternative to "less strongly than"?

Alternatives include "not as strongly as", "weaker than", or "to a lesser extent than", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less strongly than"?

Yes, the phrase "less strongly than" is grammatically correct and commonly used to compare the intensity or degree of something.

What's the difference between "less strongly than" and "not as strongly as"?

While both phrases are similar, "less strongly than" might imply a more nuanced difference in intensity, whereas "not as strongly as" can be more direct. For most situations, they are interchangeable.