less than imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than imminent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is not expected to happen very soon, indicating a delay or a lower level of urgency. Example: "The project's completion is less than imminent, as we are still waiting for the necessary approvals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A Kuwaiti takeover of Liverpool looks less than imminent, with differences now emerging between members of the original consortium believed to be involved.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

Mr. Gumpert allows that raw milk is probably more hazardous than pasteurized milk, but, he says, there haven't been any reported deaths from it in the past quarter century (there have been a few deaths from pasteurized milk, but it's consumed in vastly greater quantities), which makes it seem something less than an imminent health threat.

The New York Times

The main clinical recommendation is to use magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection of the fetus, infant and child "in women at risk of early preterm (gestational age is less than 30 weeks), imminent birth (when early preterm birth is planned or definitely expected within 24 hours)" [ 47].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years, death imminent within 24 hours, and very high weight (>140 kg).

Critical Care

There is strong evidence that antenatal magnesium sulphate given to women prior to early preterm (at less than 30 weeks gestation), imminent birth (when birth is planned or definitely expected within 24 hours) significantly increases the chances of their babies surviving free of cerebral palsy [ 9, 10].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

It is less than three weeks since the imminent series of three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s between hosts West Indies and England could still confidently have been billed as a head-to-head between two of cricket's most exciting batsmen.

The Guardian - Sport

Federal victory was even less imminent than once believed.

The New York Times

Traders also continue to watch Syria, where a United States-led attack could happen, although such a strike seems less imminent than earlier in the week.

The New York Times

We upgrade to a neutral rating as pricing headwinds are less imminent than we had earlier anticipated and as near-term earnings per share downgrade risk is now more limited.

The Guardian - Business

I have lost count of the number of politicians on both sides of the Atlantic who have looked to Hugo's Guardian column for analysis and insight, always reassured to find endorsement and ammunition for their own imminent convictions, never less than dismayed by one of his stinging rebukes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than imminent" to convey that an event is not expected to occur in the very near future, suggesting a delay or reduced urgency. Be sure that the context aligns with this meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "less than imminent" when the event is merely slightly delayed. Reserve it for situations where the delay is significant or uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than imminent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something is expected to occur soon. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a situation is not expected to happen very soon.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than imminent" serves as a useful tool for expressing that an event is not expected to occur in the immediate future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe situations where there's a notable delay or reduced sense of urgency. While "less than imminent" appears less frequently, it finds relevance across diverse domains, notably in News & Media and Science, where precision in conveying expectations is essential. When communicating in such contexts, remember that choosing the most accurate wording helps to improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not immediately forthcoming

Emphasizes the delay in something becoming available or happening.

not on the immediate horizon

Suggests something is not expected in the near future.

further off than expected

Highlights a greater delay compared to initial expectations.

not just around the corner

Indicates that something is not happening very soon.

not an immediate prospect

Focuses on the reduced likelihood of something occurring in the short term.

a ways off

Informal way to say something is distant in time.

not in the cards for now

Suggests that something is unlikely to happen in the present circumstances.

delayed

A simpler term indicating that something is held up.

postponed

Highlights a decision to delay something to a later time.

not a pressing matter

Indicates a lack of urgency.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than imminent" to describe events that are not expected to happen soon. For example, "A resolution to the conflict seems "less than imminent"."

What's a good alternative to "less than imminent"?

Consider alternatives such as "not immediate", "delayed", or "not forthcoming" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not imminent" or "less than imminent"?

Both "not imminent" and "less than imminent" are acceptable. "Less than imminent" might suggest a slightly longer or more uncertain delay compared to "not imminent".

What does "imminent" mean?

"Imminent" means about to happen; impending. "Less than imminent" suggests something is the opposite, not about to happen immediately.