less than safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is not entirely safe or poses some level of risk. Example: "The construction site was deemed less than safe due to the lack of proper safety equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Therefore, I've never had one minute of feeling less than safe.

The New York Times

She was trying to get hired by a meat factory, where she suspected conditions would be less than safe and sanitary.

The New York Times

It never makes you want to do an irresponsible thing, nor does it ever make you feel as though you're anything less than safe as houses, on a chic, incredibly thrifty and safe journey to a place that is just so.

The Guardian - Tech

The idea of picking up or riding with a random guy seems less than safe to a lot of women.

TechCrunch

What's also obvious is that they'll go to great measures and when it comes to driving, less than safe ways to do so.

Forbes

However, the car-following behaviours are quite different under mixed traffic; a large number of drivers adopt headways which are less than safe headway and a few drivers even take considerable amount of risk to overtake.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The real danger is that they will get their hands on some of the nuclear material kept in less-than-safe stockpiles scattered around the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps it's a vestigial reflex from the old days, when Victorian houses still had less-than-safe 220-volt lines tacked to the walls.

The New York Times

Granted, since there's no human inside the cockpit that could make commanders more apt to deploy it in less-than-safe conditions, but that's a concern for another day.

TechCrunch

The nightclubs of Britain had a bit of a shitty time of it in 2015, faced with overt prejudices, less-than-safe-spaces, and more closures than a tupperware demonstration at a psychoanalysts.

Vice

I'll admit, there was some less-than-safe news going on while I was in the Philippines; like kidnappings of tourists, a beheading, and a heated government election, but as an experienced solo female traveler, I knew if I practiced my safety measures and precautions I'd be fine.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than safe" when you want to convey that a situation is not outright dangerous, but still presents an elevated risk compared to a truly safe environment. The connotation is softer and more nuanced.

Common error

Avoid using "less than safe" when a situation is clearly and immediately dangerous. In cases of imminent harm, stronger language like "dangerous" or "hazardous" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than safe" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something does not meet the standard requirements for safety, expressing a condition where risks are present. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than safe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe situations that pose a degree of risk without being outright dangerous. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is acceptable. It's vital to provide specific context when using this phrase to clarify the exact nature of the risks involved. While versatile, it is important to avoid overstating the risk and consider more direct language when a situation poses an immediate and significant threat. Alternatives such as "somewhat hazardous" or "not entirely secure" can offer similar meanings. Its usage is common across various contexts, from news media to scientific reports, indicating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat hazardous

Emphasizes the presence of danger or risk, suggesting a degree of hazard.

not entirely secure

Highlights the lack of complete security or protection.

a bit risky

Indicates a level of risk or uncertainty associated with a situation.

potentially dangerous

Focuses on the possibility of harm or danger.

slightly perilous

Suggests a mild form of danger or hazard.

not completely protected

Highlights the absence of full protection or safeguarding.

vulnerable to danger

Emphasizes susceptibility to harm or danger.

leaves something to be desired in terms of safety

Politely suggests that the level of safety is not ideal or sufficient.

poses a certain level of risk

Explicitly states that a situation involves a degree of risk.

compromised safety

Indicates that safety has been negatively impacted or weakened.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than safe" to describe situations that are not entirely secure or pose a degree of risk. For instance, "The old bridge was considered "less than safe" for heavy vehicles".

What are some alternatives to saying "less than safe"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "somewhat hazardous", "not entirely secure", or "a bit risky" as alternatives to "less than safe".

Is "less safe than" the same as "less than safe"?

"Less safe than" is used to compare the safety of two different things, while "less than safe" describes something that is not fully safe on its own. For example, "Riding a motorcycle is "less safe than" driving a car", versus "The old playground equipment was "less than safe"".

When is it more appropriate to use "unsafe" instead of "less than safe"?

Use "unsafe" when the situation presents a significant and immediate danger. "Less than safe" is better suited for situations with moderate or potential risks, and where the level of risk is lower than the one described by "unsafe".