less than appropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than appropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not suitable or fitting in a particular context. Example: "The comments made during the meeting were less than appropriate for a professional setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The Prada store in Manhattan opened just weeks after Sept. 11, when its bold high-design theatrics struck many New Yorkers as less than appropriate.

The New York Times

The latter, given quite a turn, replied as smoothly as she could, that the offer was generous indeed but seemed less than appropriate.

The New Yorker

Audience behaviour was, sadly, less than appropriate and the boys near me did a lot of shouting out whenever one character kissed or ventured near another.

Independent

Factors at three levels—human cognition, group dynamics, and organizational culture interact in ways that predispose companies to respond with less than appropriate intensity when signals of future harm are murky.

Harvard Business Review

At FINRA, we spend a lot of time thinking about what drives investment professionals to recommend products that are less than appropriate for their customers or to make other mistakes that harm investors..

Forbes

Drever is certainly not the only young politician to post less than appropriate things online.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The former finance minister says at the time the DUP "had become a byword for less-than-appropriate behaviour in relation to RHI".

BBC

Tavik, a clothing and accessory company, caught serious heat on Monday when an offended T.J. Maxx customer tweeted a picture of a less-than-appropriate piece of merchandise.

Huffington Post

Who needed to dress up when my waves were cascading over my shoulders and down my back, diverting attention from my makeup-free face or less-than-appropriate attire?

Huffington Post

As a result, they're skewing their asset allocations and may be taking on more or less risk than appropriate or than they realize, says Youngkyun Park, a research associate at the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, D.C. and author of a new study "Investment Behavior of Target-Date Fund Users Having Other Funds in 401(k) Plan Accounts".

Forbes

More often than not, less thought than appropriate is given to how the interactions derived from these different systems have been, or should be, combined and the possible implications that different methodologies for achieving this might have on the outcome of analyses.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "less than appropriate", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the appropriate standard or expectation should be. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less than appropriate" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes sound indirect or hesitant. Consider using more direct synonyms like "inappropriate" or "unsuitable" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than appropriate" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or action to indicate it does not meet a certain standard or expectation. It serves to soften a direct criticism, suggesting a deviation from what is considered suitable or fitting. As seen on Ludwig, the AI confirms correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than appropriate" serves as a nuanced way to express that something doesn't quite meet expected standards, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a qualifier, softening direct criticism and suggesting a mild deviation from what is suitable. While grammatically correct and versatile, it is more common in neutral and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the appropriate standard. According to Ludwig, consider more direct synonyms in formal settings. While not extremely common, its presence across diverse credible sources makes it a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat inappropriate

Implies a slightly lower degree of appropriateness compared to the original phrase.

rather unsuitable

Suggests a stronger sense of unsuitability than the original phrase.

not quite right

Offers a more informal and understated way of expressing inappropriateness.

somewhat out of place

Highlights the lack of fit or harmony in a specific situation.

slightly improper

Conveys a more formal and mild sense of inappropriateness.

a bit off

Presents a very informal and vague assessment of inappropriateness.

not entirely fitting

Focuses on the lack of alignment or correspondence with a specific need or standard.

suboptimal

Highlights that something is not ideal or the best possible option.

deficient

Stresses the lack of something essential or required.

inadequate

Emphasizes the insufficiency or lack of something needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than appropriate" to describe behavior, actions, or items that do not meet expected standards. For example, "The comments made during the presentation were "less than appropriate" for a professional environment."

What are some alternatives to "less than appropriate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inappropriate", "unsuitable", or "improper". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

When is it best to use "less than appropriate" over "inappropriate"?

"Less than appropriate" can be useful when you want to soften the criticism or suggest a milder degree of unsuitability compared to the more direct term "inappropriate". It can also imply a more subjective assessment.

Is "less than appropriate" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less than appropriate" is grammatically sound and acceptable in English. It functions as a descriptive phrase to indicate something that does not quite meet the required standard or expectation.