less than valuable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than valuable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has little worth or significance compared to something else. Example: "The feedback we received was less than valuable, as it did not provide any constructive criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But what I am saying is that New York, America, this society as a whole, still views the lives of Black people, of Latino people, of people of color, of women, of poor or working-class people, as less than valuable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Spoilers: Cloudera is worth more than nothing and far less than the most valuable public company in the world, Apple.

TechCrunch

When do seeding strategies based on less-than-accurate link prediction provide valuable insight?

Computational Social Networks

Stocks with the highest market value, like Apple and Exxon Mobil, get higher weighting than less valuable stocks in popular indexes like the Standard and Poor's Industrial index.

The New York Times

For some white people, whiteness seems less economically valuable than it was decades ago.

Vice

The front wheel is less valuable than the rear, The front wheel is less valuable than the rear, but some level of security should still be used or even an opportunistic passerby could steal the wheel.

WikiHow

The rebate would not be one-sixteenth of each network's rights fee because the second game of the season is less valuable than one in Week 2 of December, which is less valuable than a playoff game.

The New York Times - Sports

Prolific artists' pieces of work tend to be less valuable than those of artists who simply produced less, all things being equal.

WikiHow

Buyers may be saddled with an apartment that the bank finds to be less valuable than assumed, because it is smaller than was thought.

The New York Times

The view that teaching is less valuable than research is, quite obviously, little more than an unexamined prejudice.

Science Magazine

I remember the proprietor having to lecture Huncke, more than once, on why we couldn't purchase a second: two were less valuable than one.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts like ideas or opinions, consider alternatives like "less significant" or "less relevant" for a more nuanced expression.

Common error

Avoid using "less than valuable" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. For example, instead of saying "the data was less than valuable", opt for "the data provided limited insights".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than valuable" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that its worth or significance is lower than some other entity or standard. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than valuable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote something having diminished worth compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this, marking it as correct. Although its occurrence is relatively rare, this term finds usage across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. When writing with this term is important to make explicit the point of comparison. When writing in more formal context, is better to use alternative like "not very valuable" or "of little value".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Of limited worth

Focuses on the restricted value or utility of something.

Of little consequence

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact.

Not particularly significant

Highlights the relative insignificance of something.

Relatively unimportant

Indicates that something is not crucial or essential.

Somewhat trivial

Suggests that something is minor or inconsequential.

Hardly precious

Highlights that something lacks any real appreciation and can be easily dispensed.

Inferior in value

It stresses the lower quality or standard.

Not as prized

Indicates that something is not as cherished or esteemed.

Substandard in worth

Highlights the insufficiency of value.

Less meaningful

Emphasizes the lack of deep significance or purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than valuable" to compare the worth of two things, implying one has reduced significance. For example, "The initial research findings were "less than valuable" compared to the later results".

What are some alternatives to "less than valuable"?

Alternatives include "not very valuable", "of little value", or "relatively unimportant" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less valuable than"?

Yes, "less valuable than" is grammatically correct. It is used to show that one thing has a lower value compared to another, such as "A used car is "less valuable than" a new one".

When should I use "less than valuable" versus "valueless"?

"Less than valuable" implies a lower degree of worth, while "valueless" means having no worth at all. Use "less than valuable" when something has some value but not much, and "valueless" when it has no value whatsoever.