less than some

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than some" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or amounts, indicating that a certain value is smaller than an unspecified quantity. Example: "The budget for this project is less than some of the previous projects we have undertaken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Perhaps less than some might hope.

The Economist

It will be less than some people wanted.

The New York Times

(That is still much less than some other euro countries).

The Economist

The distances are often less than some days in the Tour.

The New York Times - Sports

"But Fidelity managed to drop less than some of its competitors.

The New York Times

But its rating fell just one notch, less than some analysts predicted.

The New York Times

Patten defended Entwistle's pay packet, saying it was considerably less than some commercial television executives earned.

The Guardian

The May loss was less than some investors expected as bankruptcy-related costs decreased.

The New York Times

It will receive proceeds of around €1.2bn, slightly less than some earlier expectations.

The Guardian - Business

This is less than some unionized customer service agents make at the Verizon telephone company.

The New York Times

Paramount releases no more than 15 movies a year, significantly less than some competitors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than some" to soften comparisons. It avoids stating a specific value, making the comparison more nuanced.

Common error

Avoid using "less than some" when a more precise comparison is possible. Overusing this phrase can make your writing seem vague or evasive. If you know the specific value, use it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than some" functions as a comparative determiner, indicating that a quantity or degree is smaller relative to an unspecified amount. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to soften comparisons or indicate uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than some" is a versatile comparative tool used to indicate that a quantity or degree falls below an unspecified amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently encountered across diverse sources, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear, and be mindful of the context to avoid vagueness. While useful for softening comparisons or when precise figures are unavailable, providing specific values when possible enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as much as some

This alternative emphasizes a deficiency in quantity or amount.

lower than a few

This alternative suggests that the amount is below what a small group possesses.

smaller than a handful

This alternative suggests that the amount is below what a small group can contain.

lesser in comparison to some

This alternative is more formal and explicitly states a comparison.

not quite as high as a few

This alternative implies a slight difference in degree or level.

falls short of some

This alternative highlights the idea that some standard is unmet.

a notch below some

This alternative specifies small difference in degree.

inferior to some extent

This alternative highlights the deficiency, but makes it limited

exceeds a minority

This alternative, using negation, emphasizes exceeding only a small subset

lower than certain individuals

This alternative uses an explicit "certain individuals" to replace "some"

FAQs

How do I use "less than some" in a sentence?

Use "less than some" to indicate that a quantity or value is smaller than an unspecified amount or quantity. For example, "The cost was "not as much as some" had predicted."

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

Alternatives include "fewer than some", "not as much as some", or "smaller than some" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "less than some"?

In many cases, yes. If you have precise figures, providing them is clearer and more informative. Use "less than some" when the specific value is unknown or when you want to make a general comparison without exact numbers.

What's the difference between "less than some" and "less than others"?

"Less than some" implies a comparison to an undefined group or quantity. "Less than others" implies a comparison to a specific group of people or things that have already been identified.