less than solid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than solid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very reliable, stable, or certain, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The evidence presented in the case was less than solid, leading to doubts about the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Liquid is less than solid.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, across a wide range of problems, their performance properties may be less than solid.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His Catholicism is never less than solid, but it is never unduly sanctimonious.

The New Yorker

He is never less than solid, yet the players seldom respond to him with palpable passion.

The New Yorker

But invariably the evidence to support their claim turns out to be less than solid.

The Economist

The hollow design also costs less than solid design of window frame.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

However, making gains in this way might have meant sacrifices elsewhere, with reviewers complaining that this airy-weight is accompanied by a less-than-solid build quality.

Independent

The better the weather, the easier it was to get the students to buy into a less-than-solid argument: on days that were sunny, clear, and warm, people were equally persuaded by both strong and weak arguments in favor of end-of-year comprehensive exams.

The New Yorker

In a paper released over the weekend, Choi Jin-wook, an analyst at the government-funded Korea Institute for National Unification, warned that Mr. Kim's less-than-solid control on power and the elite's competition to prove their loyalty amid an unfolding political purge make the North's decision-making more unpredictable.

The New York Times

But what about methods that are widely accepted but are built on a less-than-solid foundation?

Science Magazine

Companies with less-than-solid balance sheets are also welcome: Junk bond sales from the likes of NRG Energy and U.S. Oncology topped $5 billion in the past week.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing evidence or arguments, use "less than solid" to convey that they are not entirely convincing or well-supported. This implies a degree of uncertainty or weakness in the foundation of the claim.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "less than solid" in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "unsubstantiated" or "tenuous", depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than solid" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies nouns by describing them as lacking firmness, reliability, or strength. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable to use "less than solid" in your writings. See examples in Ludwig for more details.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than solid" functions as an adjective phrase to describe something lacking firmness, reliability, or strength. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently used in News & Media, Academia, and Science sources, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. When using the phrase, keep in mind that it conveys a degree of uncertainty. Alternative phrases like "somewhat unreliable" or "rather shaky" can provide similar meanings. While acceptable, avoid overuse of "less than solid" in highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unreliable

Replaces "solid" with "reliable", focusing on the lack of dependability.

rather shaky

Uses a more informal term ("shaky") to describe something lacking stability.

a bit unstable

Highlights the lack of stability, using the term "unstable".

not very convincing

Shifts the focus to the lack of persuasiveness or credibility.

quite flimsy

Implies a lack of substance or strength, similar to "not solid".

fairly weak

Replaces "solid" with "weak", indicating a lack of strength or force.

somewhat tenuous

Emphasizes the weakness and uncertainty of something.

less than robust

Uses "robust" as an alternative to "solid", suggesting a lack of resilience.

not entirely sound

Suggests a lack of integrity or completeness.

a little doubtful

Focuses on the uncertainty and lack of confidence associated with something.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than solid" to describe something that is not reliable, stable, or certain. For example, "The evidence presented in the case was "less than solid", leading to doubts about the defendant's guilt."

What can I say instead of "less than solid"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unreliable", "rather shaky", or "not very convincing" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less than solid" or "not solid"?

Both "less than solid" and "not solid" are grammatically correct, but "less than solid" often implies a matter of degree, suggesting something is somewhat lacking in solidity or reliability, whereas "not solid" is a more absolute statement.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "less than solid"?

It is appropriate to use "less than solid" in situations where you want to express that something is not entirely reliable, firm, or well-supported. This can apply to evidence, arguments, foundations, or even abstract concepts.