less than forthcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than forthcoming" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is not providing detailed or complete information, due to reluctance or evasiveness. For example, "When I asked about his background, he was less than forthcoming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Airline sites are often less than forthcoming.

The New York Times

Because these figures are less than forthcoming".

The Guardian - Tech

Republican support for him was less than forthcoming.

The Economist

But Mr Clegg met a lot of people who were less than forthcoming.

Independent

She called Apple's evidence "not persuasive," and accused its trial witnesses of being "less than forthcoming".

The New Yorker

Nor is this the only area where Mr. Corzine has been less than forthcoming.

The New York Times

Yet Peretti is also less than forthcoming when talking about his own personal stake in BuzzFeed.

The Guardian

It's hard to argue that Ford has been less than forthcoming".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Subjective satisfaction can change drastically if or when parties become aware of less-than-forthcoming behavior by their counterparts, or aware of opportunities for gain that were missed.

Harvard University

There's been some bad blood between Athens and Berlin lately, with the latter city holding the economic fate of the former in its less-than-forthcoming hands.

The New York Times

I was charmed by much of the incidental dialogue, not least when Cord pulls his gun to get answers from less-than-forthcoming technicians.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where information is lacking, consider if "less than forthcoming" accurately reflects a deliberate choice to withhold, or if other factors like oversight or miscommunication might be involved. If withholding is deliberate this phrase will be most helpful.

Common error

Avoid using "less than forthcoming" when the lack of information stems from genuine ignorance or lack of access, not deliberate withholding. It's crucial to assess intent to accurately use the phrase. Consider alternatives like 'uninformed' or 'unaware' if the person doesn't have the information to provide.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than forthcoming" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's behavior or communication style. Ludwig examples show it frequently describes individuals or organizations that are withholding information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than forthcoming" serves as a nuanced way to describe a lack of transparency or openness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It's a valuable term for expressing concern about withheld information without resorting to accusatory language. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig underscore its common usage and consistent application in diverse scenarios, reinforcing its utility in professional and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evasive

This term directly describes someone who avoids giving direct answers.

uncommunicative

This phrase emphasizes a lack of willingness to share information.

not entirely honest

This phrase suggests a degree of deception or omission of truth.

reluctant to disclose

This highlights the unwillingness to reveal information.

guarded in their statements

This implies carefulness and a lack of openness in communication.

holding back information

This suggests a deliberate withholding of details.

not being candid

This points to a lack of sincerity and openness.

equivocal

This term implies ambiguity and a lack of clarity in their answers.

secretive

This suggests a tendency to keep things hidden.

cagey

This describes someone who is wary and reluctant to speak openly.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than forthcoming" to describe someone who is not providing complete or honest information. For example, "The witness was "evasive" and "uncooperative", being "less than forthcoming" with the details of the incident".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "less than forthcoming"?

Alternatives include "evasive", "uncommunicative", or "reluctant to disclose" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less than forthcoming" or "dishonest"?

"Less than forthcoming" is a more polite and indirect way of suggesting dishonesty. "Dishonest" is a stronger, more direct accusation. The choice depends on the desired tone and context. "Less than forthcoming" implies a "holding back information" rather than a outright lie.

What does it mean when someone is "less than forthcoming"?

It means they are not providing all the information that is expected or that they are deliberately avoiding certain topics. They might be "guarded", "secretive" or simply "unwilling to share" all the details.