less substantial than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less substantial than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the significance or importance of two things, indicating that one is not as significant as the other. Example: "The evidence presented in the second report is less substantial than that in the first report, leading to different conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Contemporary fiction by women is often perceived as less substantial than that by men.

The Guardian - Books

The company's in-house research institute, the B.D.I., was also less substantial than it sounded.

The New Yorker

And any reimbursements can be less substantial than for in-person treatment.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr Hasan's legacy like Busang's gold may prove less substantial than it first seemed.

The Economist

If there is a weakness, it is the figural sculpture, which overall seems less substantial than the rest (Glueck).

The New York Times - Arts

The entire online world is less substantial than a single piece of paint on one of Rembrandt's encrusted canvases.

The Guardian - Arts

Of the desired 2m filings, many will be for "utility" or "design" patents, which are less substantial than "invention" patents.

The Economist

The Making of King Arthur was less substantial than other parts of the Norman history strand the BBC has been running for the last few weeks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Anything less and the markets would now be sorely disappointed, but even these announcements may be less substantial than they first appear.

The Guardian - Business

Or could cybersecurity analysts be wrong, and the ties between the Bears and Russian government objectives be less substantial than they believe?

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The writer of Leviticus states that the poor are required to make less substantial sacrifices than the rich (Leviticus 5 7; 11; 14:21).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less substantial than", ensure you are comparing two clearly defined items or concepts. This clarifies the relationship and enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "less substantial than" when the difference is negligible or subjective. It's best suited for comparisons where a clear difference in size, impact, or importance exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less substantial than" functions as a comparative, indicating that one item or concept is smaller, weaker, or has less impact compared to another. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less substantial than" is a versatile comparative phrase used to indicate that one item or concept is of smaller size, lesser importance, or has a weaker impact than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "not as significant as" or "smaller in scale than" exist, the phrase is generally appropriate for various writing needs. It is important to ensure the comparison is valid and the difference is clear to avoid misuse. It’s a useful way to clearly indicate differences in size, scale, impact, or importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as significant as

Emphasizes a difference in importance or consequence.

not as important as

Directly compares the importance of two elements.

smaller in scale than

Focuses on the relative size or extent.

of lesser magnitude than

Highlights a difference in degree or intensity.

not as impactful as

Emphasizes a difference in effect or influence.

of reduced significance compared to

More formal way to indicate a lower level of importance.

not nearly as weighty as

Highlights the difference in perceived importance or influence.

lesser in comparison to

General way to indicate a feature is smaller or unimportant.

dwarfed by

Implies that one thing is much smaller or less significant than another.

pale in comparison to

Suggests that something is weak or insignificant when compared to something else.

FAQs

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

Use "less substantial than" to compare the relative importance, size, or impact of two things. For example, "The evidence presented was "less substantial than" originally anticipated."

What are some alternatives to saying "less substantial than"?

Alternatives include "not as significant as", "not as important as", or "smaller in scale than". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less substantial then" instead of "less substantial than"?

No, "less substantial then" is incorrect. The correct phrase is "less substantial than", where "than" is used for comparison.

What is the difference between "less substantial than" and "less significant than"?

"Less substantial than" typically refers to size, quantity, or physical presence, while "less significant than" refers to importance or impact. The phrase "less significant than" is more appropriate when discussing the importance of something.