less than one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is smaller than one, often in mathematical or statistical contexts. Example: "The survey results indicated that less than one in five participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

On average, survival is less than one year [ 5].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"That's less than one second.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even less than one second.

The New York Times - Sports

Here's a clue: it's less than one.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Now it's less than one a day".

The New York Times

Less than one percent wears the uniform.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Less than one-third will be claimed.

The New Yorker

Today, less than one-fifth do.

The New York Times

That is less than one-twelfth of the Quran.

Huffington Post

That's less than one-third of the golden ticket pool.

Huffington Post

Less than one-sixth of the students (13.2%) reported working.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than one" to describe proportions or percentages, ensure the context is clear. For example, "less than one percent" is more precise than simply saying "less than one" when referring to a small percentage.

Common error

Avoid using "less than one" when you actually mean 'close to one'. For instance, if a value is 0.9, it's technically "less than one", but it's more accurate to say 'almost one' or 'close to one' to avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than one" primarily functions as a quantifier, indicating that a value or quantity is smaller than the numerical value of one. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in a variety of contexts, from scientific measurements to statistical probabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than one" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate a quantity or value smaller than one. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure that it precisely reflects the intended meaning, especially when describing small quantities or proportions. For more precise expressions, consider alternatives like "smaller than one" or "below unity". Always ensure the scale and context are clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller than one

Directly states the size comparison, suitable for various contexts where size or quantity is relevant.

under one

A more casual way of saying "less than one", appropriate for less formal settings.

less than unity

Similar to 'below unity', this phrase is often found in mathematical or scientific discourse.

below unity

Emphasizes the mathematical concept of being less than the number one, often used in technical contexts.

a fraction of one

Highlights that the quantity is only a part of a whole, specifically less than one unit.

not even one

Emphasizes the absence of a full unit, stressing how little there is.

a negligible amount

Highlights that the quantity is so small that it can be disregarded without significant impact.

approaching zero

Indicates that the value is very close to zero, implying it's significantly less than one.

virtually zero

Suggests that the quantity is so small that it's practically nonexistent.

close to nothing

Expresses that the value is insignificant and barely measurable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "less than one" is used to indicate a quantity or value that is smaller than one. For example, "The probability of that event occurring is "less than one" percent".

What's a more formal way to say "less than one"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "below unity" or "smaller than unity" to convey a similar meaning with increased precision.

Is it ever incorrect to use "less than one"?

While grammatically correct, using "less than one" can be misleading if a more precise term exists. For instance, instead of saying ""less than one"", you might say "almost zero" if the value is very small.

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

The phrase ""less than one"" is generally used for uncountable nouns or quantities, while "fewer than one" is rarely used as it is grammatically incorrect to use 'fewer' with values that can be fractions. Stick to 'less' in such cases.