less than before

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than before" is a correct and usable sentence fragment in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is decreasing in amount or size compared to its previous level. For example: "The number of new customers we received this month was less than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less than before, perhaps.

The Economist

"Just a lot less than before".

The New York Times - Science

After that, I liked it less than before".

The New York Times

When asked his weight, he would reply: "Less than before".

The Guardian

Is the salary more or less than before?

The New York Times

A small white hope Is there less than before?

The Economist

However, publishers are commissioning less than before, he points out, which is making its own pressure.

The Guardian - Books

Contemporary leaders also receive, although much less than before, the same benefit of the doubt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Iran was importing less than before and paying more for it.

The New Yorker

"Not only do families have much less than before, but they have suffered great psychological damage".

The New York Times

Suddenly I was just playing, moving less than before, hushing more quietly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than before", ensure the comparison is clear and the context is established. Specify what is being compared to what and why the reduction or decrease is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "less than before" without clarifying the context. For example, instead of saying "Sales are less than before", specify the timeframe: "Sales this quarter are less than before the marketing campaign".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than before" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a comparative state, showing that something is reduced in quantity, degree, or frequency when contrasted with a previous state. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than before" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a reduction or decrease compared to a prior state. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using "less than before", ensure the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify what is being compared and the context in which the reduction is significant. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's essential to maintain clarity and context for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as great as before

A simple alternative, using "great" to imply size or intensity.

not as much as previously

This alternative uses a more formal tone by explicitly mentioning a previous state.

lower than in the past

A simpler alternative focusing on the reduced level or quantity.

not quite as much as earlier

This phrase introduces a nuance of approximation in the reduction.

decreased from earlier

This phrase is more specific in indicating a reduction from a prior point.

reduced compared to the past

This option uses "reduced" to highlight the lessening aspect and references the past.

smaller than previously

This alternative is best suited when referring to quantifiable things or dimensions.

not as significant as formerly

This alternative emphasizes the diminished importance or impact.

diminished since then

This choice uses 'diminished' to signal a reduction and specifies a point of reference ('then').

not to the same extent as before

This alternative emphasizes the degree or scope of the reduction.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than before" to indicate a decrease or reduction compared to a previous state or time. For example, "My stress levels are "lower than before" since I started meditating".

What's a more formal alternative to "less than before"?

A more formal alternative to "less than before" could be "decreased from earlier" or "reduced compared to the past", which provide a more professional tone.

Is it always necessary to specify what is "less than before"?

While not always mandatory, specifying what is "less than before" usually enhances clarity. For instance, instead of saying "I worry less than before", it's better to state "I worry about work less than before".

What's the difference between "less than before" and "worse than before"?

"Less than before" simply indicates a reduction in quantity, amount, or intensity. "Worse than before", on the other hand, implies a decline in quality or condition, suggesting a negative outcome.