less than five pounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than five pounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a weight measurement that is below five pounds, often in contexts like shipping, cooking, or describing the weight of an object. Example: "The package weighs less than five pounds, making it easy to carry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It weighs less than five pounds and costs $84.99.

The New York Times - Travel

The Yukon Yak model, which weighs a bit less than five pounds when deflated, costs $790.

The New York Times - Travel

The twins were brought home a week ago Friday, weighing less than five pounds each, she said.

The New York Times

— Sam Sifton The Guardian: Guy Woodward, the editor of the British wine periodical Decanter, says it's hard to find interesting wine for less than five pounds, or about $8.

The New York Times

Topped by a brilliant new Fusion finish, and weighing less than five pounds, these laptops are ready to help you move ahead".

TechCrunch

It's a category dominated by laptops that cost less than $1,000, weigh less than five pounds and pack the power to do real work.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Together they weighed less than two hundred pounds. . . .

The New Yorker

She weighed less than two pounds.

The New York Times

His pack weight is now less than seven pounds.

The New Yorker

He had lost no less than fifty pounds.

The New Yorker

He weighed less than three pounds and was given less than a 10percentt chance to survive.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In product descriptions, use "less than five pounds" to highlight the portability and ease of handling of lightweight items, appealing to consumers seeking convenience.

Common error

Avoid using "fewer than five pounds" when referring to weight. "Less than" is used for uncountable nouns like weight, while "fewer than" is used for countable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than five pounds" functions as a modifier specifying the weight of an object. It provides information about the weight being below a certain threshold. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than five pounds" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something weighs below five pounds. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media, as well as in practical contexts such as specifying shipping limits or describing product weights. When writing, remember to use "less than" for weight (an uncountable noun) rather than "fewer than". Consider alternatives like "under five pounds" for a slightly more casual tone. Being mindful of the proper context ensures clear and effective communication when discussing weight specifications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under five pounds

Replaces "less than" with "under", maintaining the same meaning with a slightly more casual tone.

lighter than five pounds

Focuses on the comparison of weight, highlighting the relative lightness.

weighing below five pounds

Specifies the action of weighing, adding a bit more detail.

not as heavy as five pounds

An alternative that focuses on the heaviness aspect of the weight.

not exceeding five pounds

Emphasizes the limit, useful in formal contexts.

within a five-pound limit

Highlights the presence of a boundary or restriction in terms of weight.

measuring under five pounds

Focuses on the act of measurement and indicating that the weight is below the five-pound limit.

below the five-pound mark

Uses a metaphorical "mark" to indicate the weight limit.

in the under five pounds range

Positions the weight within a specified range, emphasizing categorization.

smaller than five pounds

Uses "smaller" in a metaphorical sense to describe a lighter weight; may be context-dependent.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "less than five pounds"?

You can use alternatives like "under five pounds", "weighing below five pounds", or "lighter than five pounds" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less than five pounds"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less than" is used for uncountable nouns, and weight (pounds) is considered uncountable in this context. Therefore, the phrase is appropriate.

When should I use "less than five pounds"?

Use "less than five pounds" when you need to specify that the weight of something is below five pounds. It's commonly used in shipping, product descriptions, and when setting weight limits.

What's the difference between "less than five pounds" and "fewer than five pounds"?

"Less than" is for uncountable nouns (like weight), while "fewer than" is for countable nouns. Therefore, "less than five pounds" is correct because weight is treated as a continuous quantity in this context.