less than a sixth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than a sixth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is smaller than one-sixth of a whole. Example: "The amount of sugar in this recipe is less than a sixth of a cup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

China bought less than a sixth of the Treasuries issued in the 12 months through March.

The New York Times

The mayor wants $400 million in state aid -- less than a sixth of what he asked for last year.

The New York Times

I'd guess that less than a sixth of the script's lines make direct reference to those candidates, and far less to the catastrophe called Sandy.

The New York Times

In 2003, less than a third of German men age 60 to 64, and less than a sixth of German woman of the same age, were working.

The New York Times

Last year Uniqlo's Japanese sales were ¥600 billion ($7 billion); foreign sales were less than a sixth as much.Uniqlo's approach is quite different from Zara's.

The Economist

It was also a bad day for the Tories, who lost over 200 councillors, although the cut was less than a sixth of their total.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Less than a third responded.

The New York Times

Each engagement took less than a second.

The New Yorker

The latter, by less than a twentieth.

The Economist

Less than a second".

The New York Times

Less than a third were swimmable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For countable items, consider using "fewer than a sixth" instead of "less than a sixth" to adhere to standard English grammar conventions.

Common error

A common mistake is using "less than a sixth" with countable nouns. Remember to use "fewer than a sixth" when referring to things you can count individually, like "fewer than a sixth of the students" rather than "less than a sixth of the students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than a sixth" primarily functions as a quantifier, specifying an amount or proportion that is smaller than one-sixth of a whole. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, indicating its correct usage in denoting quantities. The examples show it quantifying diverse elements from money to portions of populations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than a sixth" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to quantify amounts or proportions that are smaller than one-sixth. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates a limited quantity across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, remember to use "fewer than a sixth" when referring to countable nouns. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently and accurately use "less than a sixth" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller than one-sixth

Replaces the phrase with a more explicit mathematical description.

fewer than a sixth

Uses "fewer" instead of "less", typically for countable items.

under one-sixth

Offers a more concise way to express the quantity being below one-sixth.

not exceeding one-sixth

Indicates a maximum limit of one-sixth.

a fraction less than one-sixth

Highlights that the quantity is a fraction and specifies that it is less than one-sixth.

a bit below a sixth

Implies a quantity that is slightly smaller than one-sixth.

slightly below a sixth

Similar to marginally less but with a slightly different emphasis.

marginally less than a sixth

Emphasizes that the amount is only slightly below one-sixth.

not quite a sixth

Suggests the quantity is close to, but still less than, one-sixth.

to a smaller extent than one-sixth

Expresses the idea of a smaller degree or proportion compared to one-sixth.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less than a sixth"?

You can use alternatives like "smaller than one-sixth", "fewer than a sixth" (if referring to countable items), or "not exceeding one-sixth" depending on the context.

When should I use "fewer than a sixth" instead of "less than a sixth"?

"Fewer than a sixth" should be used when referring to countable nouns (e.g., "fewer than a sixth of the apples"), while "less than a sixth" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less than a sixth of the water") or abstract concepts.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less than a sixth of the people"?

While commonly used, it's more grammatically precise to say "fewer than a sixth of the people" because "people" is a countable noun. Using "fewer" emphasizes the discrete nature of individual people.

What is the mathematical meaning of "less than a sixth"?

"Less than a sixth" means any quantity that is smaller than 1/6, or approximately 0.1667. It represents a fraction or proportion that does not reach one-sixth of a whole.