less than great

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than great" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something as not as good or satisfactory as it could or should be. For example, "The meal we had at the restaurant was less than great."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

A ruthless calculation to be nothing less than great, powered by a conviction that greatness can exist and be redeeming.

The New York Times - Books

How do the greatest deal with being less than great?

The Guardian - Sport

He will be more than good, but less than great.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're both capable of really good things and less than great things.

The New York Times

Jeffrey Wright and Mary Louise Parker are nothing less than great.

The New York Times

And if you didn't, does that make those experiences anything less than great art?

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

To deprive oneself of great work created by a less-than-great person seems overly fastidious.

The New Yorker

But, even if it's a less-than-great musical, Michael Mayer's production and Michael Pavelka's design exhibit real class.

The Guardian

Many less-than-great writers and, now, film directors have sought to bring her story to life.

The New York Times - Books

What Snow Patrol has is songs: a few great ones, along with a bunch of less-than-great ones.

The New York Times - Arts

Miranda stands as proof that less-than-great hair can happen even to more-than-great men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than great" to politely express dissatisfaction or acknowledge shortcomings without being overly critical. This phrase softens the impact of negative feedback.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "less than great" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional vocabulary to convey your meaning. Consider using alternatives such as "suboptimal" or "deficient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than great" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, typically used to describe something that does not meet expectations or a desired standard. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

18%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than great" is a commonly used comparative phrase that functions to express mild disappointment or to soften criticism. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is suitable for a wide variety of contexts, with a neutral register, as demonstrated by its prevalence in news and media sources. When aiming for more formal or precise language, alternative expressions like ""suboptimal"" or ""deficient"" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subpar

A more concise, direct synonym indicating performance below the average or expected level.

mediocre

Describes something as ordinary or of moderate quality; neither bad nor particularly good.

not up to par

Emphasizes a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

unsatisfactory

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations or requirements.

inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency of something for a particular purpose or need.

second-rate

Implies a lower quality compared to the best.

deficient

Highlights a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

poor quality

Directly states the inferior nature of something.

not ideal

Indicates a deviation from the perfect or most desirable condition.

disappointing

Emphasizes the feeling of unmet expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than great" to describe something that is not as good as it could be. For example, "The service at the restaurant was "less than great"."

What are some alternatives to "less than great"?

Alternatives to "less than great" include "subpar", "mediocre", or "not up to par" depending on the context.

Is "less than great" too informal for academic writing?

While "less than great" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be considered too informal for some academic writing. More formal alternatives such as "suboptimal" or "deficient" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "less than great" and "terrible"?

"Less than great" suggests something is merely disappointing or not ideal, whereas "terrible" implies something is extremely bad or awful. "Less than great" is a milder assessment.