less than said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than said" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that something is not as much as what was previously mentioned, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The effort put into the project was less than said, leading to disappointing results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Cheney used brakes from the Corvette Z06 for this car, and they're hugely overqualified for a machine that weights about 700 pounds less than said 'Vette.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Should Creflo be paid less than, say, Jimmy Carr?

Independent

Less than, say, 20 calories of the 300, he estimated.

The New York Times - Science

Many advisers offering D.F.A. funds won't take on clients with less than, say, $250,000 or $500,000 to invest.

The New York Times

Still, the standard model seated five and cost 40 percent less than, say, a comparable Opel.

The New York Times

Who among us can say that he deserves this less than, say, Clive Owen or Kristin Scott Thomas?

The Guardian - Film

Historically, schools of education have paid their faculty less than, say, business or law schools.

The New York Times

Could he run that distance in less than, say, five minutes?

The New Yorker

The bidding for the Mercedes starts at $9,000 -- significantly less than, say, a vintage Fornasetti room divider.

The New York Times

There was an infinitesimal risk attached, but it was much less than – say – the long-term consumption of junk food.

The Guardian - Opinion

No less than, say, the Egyptian pyramids, Europe's great Gothic cathedrals were conceived as expressions of power.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less than said" in formal writing; it's grammatically awkward. Use "less than stated" or "not as much as stated" instead.

Common error

The word "said" implies a direct quote or statement. Using it in the phrase "less than said" can sound unnatural when you intend to indicate a general amount or expectation. Opt for clearer alternatives like "less than expected" or "less than reported".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than said" functions as a comparative, attempting to indicate that a quantity or value is lower than a previously mentioned amount. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the phrasing is grammatically incorrect and unclear in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less than said" attempts to express that something is smaller than a previously mentioned amount, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended meaning is to compare values, showing a difference in magnitude. Given its appearance across neutral contexts like news, Ludwig's analysis suggests its use might stem from casual phrasing rather than formal intent. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider alternatives such as "less than stated" or "not as much as stated" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than stated

Replaces "said" with the more formal and direct "stated".

less than reported

Emphasizes that the actual amount is lower than what was officially reported.

not as much as stated

Uses a more common and grammatically sound construction to convey a similar meaning.

less than expected

Indicates a comparison against expectations rather than a previous statement.

below what was mentioned

Uses an alternative wording to indicate a value lower than a prior mention.

smaller than declared

Suggests an official declaration has been made about the amount.

lower than indicated

Replaces "said" with "indicated", implying that the amount was suggested but not explicitly stated.

not quite as much as declared

Strengthens the idea that the actual amount is smaller and in contrast with information that was declared.

under the amount mentioned

More colloquial way of saying that some numerical quantity is lower than some previous measure.

falls short of what was mentioned

Emphasizes the idea of failing to reach a previously set amount.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "less than said"?

Instead of "less than said", use phrases like "less than stated", "not as much as stated", or "less than reported" for clearer communication.

When is it appropriate to use "less than said"?

While technically incorrect, "less than said" might be found in informal speech. However, in formal writing, it's always best to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives.

What does "less than said" actually mean?

The intended meaning is that something is smaller or of lower quantity/quality than what was previously mentioned or expected. However, the phrasing is not standard English.

How can I avoid using awkward phrases like "less than said"?

Always strive for clarity and precision in your writing. If you're unsure about a phrase, consider simpler alternatives. For example, instead of "less than said", use "smaller than indicated" or "below what was mentioned".