less than

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than" is a perfectly valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to compare two amounts or quantities, such as "This project will cost less than $500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

Less than 10? Less than five?

The New York Times

Less than 1%B.

The Economist

"It's less than slag.

The New Yorker

— less than sunny light.

The New York Times - Arts

Less than I.

The New Yorker

Less than zero.

The New York Times

Square / less than / one".

The New Yorker

Not less than thirteen.

The New Yorker

Never less than dapper.

Independent

Less than before, perhaps.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing numerical values, ensure that the units are consistent. For example, compare kilograms to kilograms, not kilograms to pounds.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is grammatically correct. "Less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., less water), while "fewer" is for countable nouns (e.g., fewer cars).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than" functions primarily as a comparator, establishing a relationship of inequality between two quantities or values. It indicates that one element is of a smaller magnitude or degree than another. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than" is a versatile comparator used to indicate that one value is smaller or lower than another. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, its primary contexts are in news and media, reflecting its neutral register. When writing, remember to use "fewer" instead of "less" when comparing countable nouns. Alternative phrases like "smaller than" and "fewer than" can provide variety in your writing. The phrase enjoys widespread use, confirmed by its "Very common" frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller than

Replaces "less" with "smaller", focusing on size rather than quantity.

fewer than

Used when referring to countable items instead of quantities.

below

A more concise preposition indicating a lower position or level.

under

Similar to 'below', but can also imply control or authority.

not as much as

Expresses a comparative difference in quantity or degree.

to a lesser extent than

A more formal way to indicate a reduced degree or impact.

inferior to

Indicates a lower quality or status.

not exceeding

Sets an upper limit or maximum value.

at a disadvantage compared to

Highlights the negative consequences of being less than.

a shade under

Used for subtle differences when accuracy is required.

FAQs

How to use "less than" in a sentence?

Use "less than" to indicate that a value is smaller or lower than another. For example, "The cost was "lower than" expected."

What can I say instead of "less than"?

You can use alternatives like "smaller than", "fewer than", or "below" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "less than" or "fewer than"?

"Less than" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., less water), while "fewer than" is used for countable nouns (e.g., fewer cars).

What's the difference between "less than" and "below"?

"Less than" is typically used for numerical or quantitative comparisons, while "below" can indicate a physical position or a level (e.g., below sea level).