less than neutral

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than neutral" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, opinion, or stance that is biased or not entirely impartial. Example: "The article presented a less than neutral perspective on the controversial issue, highlighting only one side of the argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The AOL sign-on, "GOPSPINNER," suggested a less than neutral outlook.

The New York Times

The current structure, they say, demands too much of the director of central intelligence, whose day-to-day responsibility for running the C.I.A. makes him a less than neutral overseer of the broader range of 15 intelligence agencies.

The New York Times

Leaked transcripts reported in the press of telephone conversations between the two tapped by government investigators suggest that the governor may have been less than neutral in his handling of the bids.

The Economist

"You don't want the IRS ever being perceived to be biased and anything less than neutral," Mr Obama said.

BBC

Participants: Nine ankles with plantarflexion contractures that could not be passively reduced to less than neutral position occurring in 6 patients with stroke or other acquired brain injury.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Also, the experimental data indicate that, in acidic and basic pHs, the rate of the subsequent chemical reaction is less than neutral pH.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In general, emotional chunks consist of less words than neutral ones.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Previous studies have indicated that both selection events result in a loss of genetic diversity from a wild progenitor to its domesticated crop, and selected target genes, i.e. domestication or improvement genes, are expected to retain less diversity than neutral (unselected) genes, which are only impacted by bottleneck effects.

Plosone

Bonferroni-corrected contrasts showed that faces with fearful content (i.e. 25 100%) were rated as less angry than neutral faces, p < .005.005

Biological Psychology

This is expected as structurally disrupting SNPs are probably under selective pressure and hence should be observed less frequently than neutral variants.

Human Mutation

Negatively charged peptides or smaller proteins may be eliminated less readily than neutral polypeptides because of repulsion by the negatively charged basement membrane of the kidney [ 1, 7].

BioDrugs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for objectivity, actively seek out and acknowledge diverse perspectives to mitigate the risk of presenting a "less than neutral" viewpoint. This strengthens credibility and demonstrates a commitment to fairness.

Common error

Writers often assume their perspective is neutral without critically examining their own biases. Always question your assumptions and actively seek out opposing viewpoints to ensure your writing doesn't inadvertently present a "less than neutral" stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than neutral" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality or characteristic of something that is not completely impartial or objective, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than neutral" is a grammatically correct and useful expression to describe something that isn't completely impartial. While Ludwig AI indicates that it's appropriate for written English, its frequency is uncommon. It is often found in scientific and news-related contexts, serving to gently point out the presence of bias without necessarily casting judgment. Understanding when and how to use "less than neutral" can help writers achieve greater precision in their assessments, being mindful of potential biases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not fully impartial

States directly that there is a lack of complete impartiality, without specifying the degree of bias.

not entirely objective

Emphasizes the absence of complete objectivity, highlighting the influence of personal feelings or opinions.

exhibiting partiality

Points out the presence of favoritism or bias in a decision or action.

somewhat biased

Indicates a slight leaning or prejudice, suggesting a milder form of partiality.

tending to favor

Indicates a preference or inclination towards a particular side or option.

partially subjective

Highlights the role of personal interpretation and perspective in shaping a viewpoint.

colored by

Suggests that a viewpoint is influenced or tainted by personal experiences or beliefs.

leaning towards

Suggests a tendency or inclination in a particular direction, implying a lack of neutrality.

with a predisposition

Highlights a pre-existing inclination or tendency that affects neutrality.

having a slant

Implies a deliberate bias or distortion in the presentation of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than neutral" to describe a perspective, action, or statement that is biased or not entirely impartial. For example, "The report was "less than neutral", favoring one side of the argument over the other."

What are some alternatives to "less than neutral"?

Alternatives include "somewhat biased", "not entirely objective", or "partially subjective". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to be "less than neutral"?

While neutrality is often valued, being "less than neutral" isn't always negative. In some cases, taking a clear stance is necessary. However, it's important to be transparent about any biases.

What is the difference between "less than neutral" and "biased"?

"Biased" implies a stronger leaning or prejudice than "less than neutral". "Less than neutral" suggests a lack of complete impartiality, while "biased" indicates a more pronounced inclination or favoritism.