less than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than usual" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is used to indicate that something is less than it usually is. For example, "She has been feeling less than usual energetic since she started her new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And we all ate less than usual -- without really noticing.

The Washington Post

Here, I'm most definitely wearing makeup, just less than usual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, dairy cows are producing four litres less than usual.

The Guardian

The number of tailgaters seemed only slightly less than usual, and the heartiest came prepared.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now it's meddling less than usual, so this will have a positive influence".

The New York Times

I still squirmed, but less than usual, for which much gratitude.

The Guardian - Music

At its resort in Cancún, 10 nights would cost $840, about $360 less than usual.

The New York Times - Travel

Better yet, it was on sale — $18.95, $6 less than usual.

The New York Times - Travel

Whoever is involved does not really affect that game any more or any less than usual.

Independent

Rising house prices have emboldened consumers to save much less than usual.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A signal for us for higher prices would be a less-than-usual build over the next few months".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "less than usual" with specific data points when possible. For example, instead of saying 'Sales were less than usual', specify 'Sales were 10% less than usual for this quarter', this adds precision and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "less than usual" in situations where the expected standard is unclear or unquantifiable. Saying 'I feel less than usual happy' is vague; instead, specify the cause or contributing factors to the decreased happiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than usual" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a deviation from a standard or expected level. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to express a reduction in quantity, quality, or frequency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than usual" is a grammatically correct and widely used adverbial modifier that indicates a reduction from a standard or expected level. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to convey a sense of deficiency, applicable across various contexts from news and media to scientific discourse. To maximize clarity, it’s best practice to specify the 'usual' level or quantify the deviation. While versatile, overuse in vague contexts should be avoided to maintain precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower than normal

Replaces 'usual' with 'normal', emphasizing a deviation from what is considered standard or typical.

reduced from typical

Focuses on the action of reduction, highlighting that a decrease has occurred from the expected level.

below average

Uses a statistical term to indicate that something is not at the average or expected level.

not as much as normal

Rephrases the idea to focus on the quantity being less than the standard.

decreased compared to average

Highlights a decrease and specifies that it is in relation to the average, adding a comparative element.

smaller than expected

Shifts the focus to the expectation, emphasizing that the actual amount is less than what was anticipated.

under the standard amount

Replaces 'usual' with 'standard' and specifies that the quantity is 'under' it.

not as great as usual

Focuses on the magnitude or intensity being less than the customary level.

a cutback from the norm

Uses business terminology to indicate a reduction or decrease from the normal level.

less frequent than typical

Emphasizes that something happens less often than is typical, focusing on the frequency.

FAQs

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

Use "less than usual" to indicate a decrease from a typical or expected amount. For instance, "I ate "smaller than usual" because I wasn't feeling well" or "We received "fewer than usual" applications this year".

What's a more formal alternative to "less than usual"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "lower than normal" or "reduced from typical" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "lesser than usual" instead of "less than usual"?

While "lesser" implies a smaller amount, it's less common in this context. "Less than usual" is generally preferred and more widely understood to describe a deviation from the norm.

Can "less than usual" be used to describe both quantities and qualities?

Yes, "less than usual" can apply to both. For example, "There was less water than usual (quantity)" and "He seemed less enthusiastic than usual (quality)" are both correct.