less than the required amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than the required amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing quantities that do not meet a specified standard or expectation. Example: "The funds raised for the charity event were less than the required amount, leading to a shortfall in resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Therefore, the as-built thickness of the connection component would be less than the required amount.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

But several — including Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington — have contributed far less than the required amount, year after year.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. noted that Illinois had passed a law in 1994 allowing itself to put less than the required amount into its pension system each year.

The New York Times

The accident killed 71 people after the plane apparently ran out of fuel, shocking global football and sparking questions about why the aircraft would have tried to make an international flight with what looks to have been less than the required amount of fuel in its tanks.

The Guardian

For superclasses with examples less than the required amount, we generate additional examples by data augmentation (using different croppings of images).

IPSJ Transactions on Computer Vision and Applications

So banks that have a surplus can lend the money overnight to banks with less than the required amount of reserves.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Less than five percent of Americans eat the required amount of whole grains (which contain all three parts of a seed -- bran, germ and endosperm) per day and whole grains make up only 10-15 percent of all grains on supermarket shelves.

Huffington Post

Using less than required amount results in inadequate cooling of the adjoining tank and hence its integrity may be put in doubt.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

In a statement Wednesday, the company said, "the principal amount of notes tendered was substantially less than the amount required by GM to satisfy the debt reduction requirement under its loan agreements with the U.S. Department of the Treasury".

Forbes

(2) If, after a hearing is initiated, the ALJ finds that the amount in controversy is less than the amount required under § 422.600, the ALJ discontinues the hearing and does not rule on the substantive issues raised in the appeal.

Cornell University

In the case of a plan which, subject to section 4041 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, terminates during the plan year, the amount determined under paragraph (2) shall in no event be less than the amount required to make the plan sufficient for benefit liabilities (within the meaning of section 4041 d) of such Act).

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "less than the required amount", ensure the context clearly defines what the "required amount" is. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the extent of the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "less than the required amount" without specifying the context or unit of measurement. For example, instead of saying "the dosage was less than the required amount", specify "the dosage was less than the required 10mg".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than the required amount" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating that a certain quantity falls below a specific threshold or requirement. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than the required amount" is a commonly used comparative phrase that indicates a deficiency or shortfall. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific publications to news reports. Its purpose is to convey that a particular quantity is insufficient, often implying potential consequences. While alternatives exist, such as "insufficient quantity" or "below the necessary amount", the key is to ensure clarity by specifying what the "required amount" refers to. Use this phrase when you need to express that something does not meet a specified standard or expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below the necessary quantity

Replaces "required amount" with "necessary quantity" maintaining a formal tone.

less than what's needed

Simplifies the phrase while maintaining the original meaning.

insufficient quantity

Condenses the phrase to highlight the inadequacy of the quantity.

lacking the necessary quantity

Emphasizes the absence of what is needed.

under the required threshold

Specifically refers to a minimum limit or threshold.

not up to the needed level

Shifts the focus to the level or standard that isn't met.

deficient in quantity

Replaces everyday terms with more technical or formal language.

substandard quantity

Indicates that the quantity is below an acceptable or expected standard.

falls short of the target

Uses a more figurative expression focusing on a missed target.

smaller than the stipulated volume

Uses more formal vocabulary suitable for technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "less than the required amount" in a sentence?

You can use "less than the required amount" to indicate a deficiency. For example, "The funding received was "less than the required amount" to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to "less than the required amount"?

Alternatives include "insufficient quantity", "below the necessary quantity", or "falls short of the target", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less than the required amount" or "below the required amount"?

Both "less than the required amount" and "below the required amount" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. They are largely interchangeable.

How does "less than the required amount" differ from "not enough"?

"Less than the required amount" is more specific and implies a known or specified requirement, while "not enough" is a more general term indicating inadequacy without a specific reference point. For example: "There was not enough water" (general) vs "The water provided was "less than the required amount" needed for the experiment" (specific).