Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

less than one has

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than one has" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison or a quantity but lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "In terms of resources, the team has less than one has in previous projects."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A hazard ratio (HR) of greater than 1 indicates a negative effect on survival and a HR of less than one has a positive effect.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So often in his work, the whole of something adds up to much less than one had hoped.

News & Media

The New Yorker

There are points farther from major airports and Interstates, places that have changed even less than this one has over the millennia since people somehow first found it.

News & Media

The New York Times

Then except for ((x_2,ldots,x_N)) in a set of lower dimension (i.e. less than (3N-3)), one has that begin{aligned} left.

The worrying thing since has been that, even without communism, Russia's capacity for ruining itself has diminished less than one might have hoped.

News & Media

The Economist

The inset at t = 0 shows the top view of the field lines; the number of field lines with less than one turn has been reduced.

Children who had attended preschool for less than one year had significantly higher rates of impairment in most areas of psychosocial functioning.

An injection trap for cooling and bunching of the ion beam has been developed, and cooling times of less than one millisecond have been achieved.

No samples had undetectable levels of arsenic and less than one percent had undetectable levels of lead.

A narrower House majority would most likely accomplish even less than the current one has.

News & Media

The New York Times

Following the session, a Northern Kentucky newspaper opined "It is hard to conceive how a legislature would go about accomplishing less than this present one has".

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure the comparison is clear and grammatically complete. Instead of "less than one has", specify what "one" possesses or experienced, like "less than one had hoped".

Common error

Avoid using "less than one has" without specifying what is being compared. This can lead to ambiguity and make the sentence difficult to understand. Always clarify the context of the comparison.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than one has" functions as a comparative, indicating a smaller quantity or degree than what someone possesses. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not considered correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than one has" is grammatically awkward and infrequent. Ludwig AI suggests it is not correct, and standard alternatives like "not as much as one has" or "less than one possesses" are preferable for clarity and grammatical correctness. While examples exist, its usage is generally discouraged in formal writing due to potential ambiguity. Its occurrence spans across Science and News & Media contexts, with low authoritative support.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less than one has" to be more grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases like "not as much as one has", "less than one possesses", or "less than one has had", depending on the intended meaning and context. These alternatives provide clearer comparisons.

What does "less than one has" typically imply in a sentence?

It generally implies a comparison where something is of a smaller quantity, degree, or extent compared to what someone possesses or has experienced. However, it's often better to use clearer phrasing for better understanding.

Which is more correct: "less than one has" or "less than one has had"?

"Less than one has had" is generally more grammatically complete and understandable, particularly when referring to past experiences or possessions. "Less than one has" can sound awkward without further context.

When is it appropriate to use "less than one has" in writing?

While technically usable, it's generally advisable to avoid "less than one has" in formal writing due to its potential for ambiguity. Opt for clearer, more standard comparative phrases to ensure effective communication.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: