less than that

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two numerical values or to describe an amount that is smaller than a given quantity. Example: "We need to pay less than that to get a good deal on the TV."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, it's probably less than that.

The New Yorker

It's less than that and more".

The New York Times

Japan spends a little less than that.

The New York Times

Actually, it's much less than that.

The New York Times

Maybe even less than that.

The Guardian - Books

Nothing more nor less than that.

The Guardian - Books

Some charge a lot less than that.

The Guardian - Money

Regulars say it is less than that.

The New York Times - Food

"So it was less than that.

The New York Times

The Caesar was less than that.

The New York Times

The Vesuvio was less than that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify units or categories being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable nouns; instead, use "fewer". For example, say "fewer than five apples" not "less than five apples".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than that" functions as a comparative, indicating that a certain quantity, amount, or degree is smaller or lower than a previously mentioned or understood value. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than that" is a versatile comparative expression, indicating a quantity, amount, or degree is smaller than a specified reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, remember to use "fewer than that" for countable nouns. By ensuring clarity in context and avoiding misuse with countable nouns, you can effectively incorporate "less than that" into your writing. Alternatives such as "smaller than that" and "not as much as that" provide nuanced options for expressing similar comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller than that

Replaces "less" with "smaller", emphasizing a reduction in size or scale rather than amount.

lower than that

Substitutes "less" with "lower", which focuses on a decrease in level, degree, or intensity.

fewer than that

Replaces "less" with "fewer", specifically applicable to countable items rather than general amounts.

not as much as that

Uses a more descriptive phrase indicating a smaller quantity or degree.

a smaller quantity than that

Specifies that the comparison is about the quantity, making the statement more explicit.

a reduced amount compared to that

Highlights the reduction in the amount, offering a formal tone.

inferior to that

Shifts the comparison to quality or status, implying a lower value or rank.

under that amount

Focuses on the amount being below a certain threshold.

a cut below that

Uses an idiomatic expression suggesting a notable difference in quality or status.

not quite that much

Indicates the amount is somewhat, but not fully, equivalent to the specified value.

FAQs

When should I use "less than that" vs. "fewer than that"?

"Less than that" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less than that water"), while "fewer than that" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer than that number of apples").

What are some alternative ways to express "less than that"?

You can use alternatives like "smaller than that", "lower than that", or "not as much as that" depending on the context.

Is "less than that" grammatically correct in all contexts?

While generally correct for uncountable nouns, be mindful to use "fewer than that" when referring to countable nouns. Using "less" incorrectly can be considered a grammatical error.

How can I improve my writing using phrases like "less than that"?

Ensure clarity by specifying what you are comparing. For example, instead of saying "the cost was less than that", specify "the cost was less than that original estimate".