less than desired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than desired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something does not meet expectations or standards. Example: "The results of the survey were less than desired, indicating a need for improvement in our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

Various

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

When growth is less than desired, remedies are relatively straight-forward.

Cornell University

This reduction was of questionable clinical significance and was less than desired by the women included in the study.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

"The market is tight, production and infrastructure capacity is less than desired, and uncertainties continue to weigh on the market," the report said.

The New York Times

You and your employees may be spending more on health care than needed — and less than desired on good retirement options.

The Washington Post

Despite the growth in goat production in the world (more than 2% per year), research related to goat production is less than desired.

Small Ruminant Research

The user could move the cursor with less than desired precision to specific points on the horizontal axis of the screen but the response time of the cursor movements were less than a tenth of a second.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Our realtime clock and calender unit ended up being less accurate than desired.

Cornell University

On my first visit, it was a little less silky than desired, but the flavor was right.

The New York Times

Extensive pit coalescence caused the measurement of the damage functions to be less accurate than desired and, in some instances, rendered their measurement impossible.

Electrochimica Acta

Usually there is less information than desired but often there may be too much, particularly as the design process becomes ever more data intensive.

Design Engineering

However, many ISCO projects are less effective than desired because of poor delivery of the chemical reagents to the treatment zone.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than desired", consider whether a more specific term might better convey the nature of the deficiency. For instance, instead of saying "The accuracy was less than desired", specify "The accuracy was poor" or "The accuracy was inadequate."

Common error

While "less than desired" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound vague. In formal contexts, opt for stronger, more precise terms such as "suboptimal" or "inadequate" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than desired" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular attribute or outcome does not meet the required or expected standard. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various domains to express deficiencies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than desired" is a useful way to express that something does not meet expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While it's a common phrase, especially in news, media, and scientific writing, it's important to consider whether a more precise term might better convey the specific deficiency. For instance, instead of saying a result was "less than desired", specifying it as "inadequate" or "suboptimal" could provide greater clarity and impact. Be aware, however, that alternatives like "suboptimal" are best suited for formal contents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsatisfactory

This term directly states that something does not meet the required level of satisfaction.

not ideal

This phrase is a straightforward way to express that a situation or outcome is not the best possible.

falling short

This phrase indicates a failure to reach a desired target or standard.

suboptimal

This single word concisely conveys that something is not as good as it could be, offering a more formal tone.

inadequate

This word implies that something is insufficient or not good enough for a particular purpose.

below par

This idiom indicates that something is below the expected standard or average.

wanting

This word suggests that something is missing or not good enough.

lacking

This word highlights the absence of something necessary or desirable.

not up to scratch

This idiom means that something does not meet the required standard or level of quality.

deficient

This term suggests that something is lacking an essential quality or element.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than desired" to describe an outcome or quality that does not meet expectations. For example, "The project's progress was "less than desired", so we need to implement new strategies."

What are some alternatives to "less than desired"?

Alternatives include "suboptimal", "unsatisfactory", or "inadequate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "less than desired" formal or informal?

"Less than desired" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, stronger and more precise terms like "suboptimal" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "less than desired" and "undesirable"?

"Less than desired" indicates that something isn't as good as hoped, while "undesirable" suggests something is unwanted or unwelcome. The former is milder and focuses on unmet expectations, while the latter implies a negative consequence.