less than another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare quantities, qualities, or characteristics, indicating that one is inferior or smaller in some way compared to another. Example: "This model is less than another in terms of performance and efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now nothing less than another will suffice.

Independent

Nothing less than another paradigm shift in music".

The Guardian - Music

But, please, may it take less than another 30 years to sort it out.

The Guardian

One possible explanation is that conservatives' rigidity mattered less than another aspect of their personality.

The New York Times - Science

The current licence fee agreement lasts less than another three years.

The Guardian

These questions preoccupy Harold less than another, basic issue, namely whether "Death and Taxes" is a comedy or a tragedy.

The New York Times

But while charter schools are open to all, they have catered to one demographic group far less than another.

The New York Times

We talked for less than another minute, and he reached over and took the page, and he starts the scene.

The New York Times - Arts

This year, there's no reason to expect anything less than another memorable game between the two clubs.

The New York Times

But he does not believe that science fiction is the right genre for his concerns any more or less than another genre would be.

The New Yorker

This would preserve the detail and accuracy of the traditional census, and at £625m would cost less than another paper-based census (estimated to cost £800m).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than another", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the entities being compared are of the same type. For instance, compare quantities with quantities, or qualities with qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "less than another" without specifying the basis for comparison. For example, instead of saying "This product is less than another", clarify what aspect makes it lesser, such as "This product is less expensive than another".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than another" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one entity possesses a smaller quantity, degree, or attribute when compared to a reference point as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than another" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate that one entity is smaller, inferior, or of a lesser degree than another. As supported by Ludwig, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, especially in news, scientific, and business writing. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the basis for comparison. While alternatives like "not as much as another" or "to a lesser extent than another" exist, "less than another" remains a versatile and easily understood option across various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as much as another

Emphasizes a smaller quantity or degree compared to something else; focuses on a reduced amount.

to a lesser extent than another

Highlights a reduced degree or scope of something in comparison to another, adding a formal tone.

not quite as much as another

Indicates a slight difference in quantity or degree, suggesting the comparison is close but not equal.

smaller than another

Directly compares size or quantity, indicating a smaller dimension or amount.

inferior to another

Emphasizes a difference in quality or value, suggesting something is of lower standard.

not so much as another

Highlights a lack of quantity or degree, suggesting a minimal amount compared to something else.

to a smaller degree than another

Focuses on the degree or intensity, indicating a reduced level compared to something else.

not nearly as much as another

Implies a significant difference in quantity or degree, emphasizing a substantial reduction.

to a reduced extent compared to another

Highlights the scope or range, indicating a smaller area or domain.

not quite so much as another

Indicates a slight difference, suggesting the comparison is close but not precisely equal.

FAQs

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

Use "less than another" to compare two things, indicating that one has a smaller quantity, degree, or value compared to the other. For example: "This car costs "less than another" model with similar features."

What's a more formal way to say "less than another"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "to a lesser extent than another" or "not as much as another". These options maintain a comparative meaning but with a more refined expression.

Is it always necessary to specify what is "less" when using "less than another"?

Yes, it's important to specify what aspect is being compared to avoid vagueness. Instead of saying "It's less than another", clarify with "It's less expensive than another" or "It's less time-consuming than another".

How does "less than another" differ from "fewer than another"?

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