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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less the needs
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less the needs" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a meaning related to excluding or reducing needs, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "The project budget was approved, less the needs for additional resources."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
As a result I see less the needs of their children than the burdens they've placed on Israel.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
"Of course, the more broad the coalition is, the less the need to 'stop' one faction".
News & Media
The more famous one is, the less the need for straightforwardness.
News & Media
Can it?" As she has got older, she says, she has felt less and less the need to perform, to put on a "firework display.
News & Media
That is less the needed value 10 keV but in thousands of time, it is more than the needed value in a laser method.
The two articles of impeachment didnt even get a simple majority in the Senate, much less the needed two thirds majority.
News & Media
Older teenagers tend to exercise less The need for national identification documents can make it hard for undocumented migrants to participate in organised sports.
Science
Less and less it the need to belong and be accepted showing itself around my connection with any groups.
News & Media
In accordance with our first hypothesis, the strongest predictor of SQOL was found to be the severity of needs: the less severe the needs, the higher the SQOL.
The higher the assumed future return, the less the plan needs in the bank now to fund future payouts.
News & Media
In essence highways would become less and less the thorougfares needed to move people and goods about.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to replace "less the needs" with more standard expressions like "reduced necessity" or "fewer requirements".
Common error
The word "less" is typically used with uncountable nouns. "Needs" are countable, so using "fewer" instead of "less" is grammatically more appropriate in many contexts. Use phrases like "fewer the needs" or "fewer requirements".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less the needs" attempts to quantify or reduce requirements. However, it's non-standard, and according to Ludwig, it isn't grammatically correct. Similar constructions, like 'less the need', are more commonly found, but remain somewhat informal.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Science
33%
Wiki
17%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "less the needs" may appear in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's not a commonly used expression. For improved clarity and grammatical precision, it is recommended to opt for alternatives such as "fewer requirements", "reduced necessity", or "decreased demands", especially in formal writing. Using "fewer" instead of "less" when referring to countable nouns like "needs" is crucial for grammatical accuracy. Remember to consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate and clear phrasing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
fewer the requirements
Replaces "less" with "fewer" to align with countable nouns, while maintaining the focus on reduced requirements.
reduced necessity
Emphasizes the decreased level of need, offering a more concise and grammatically sound alternative.
decreased demands
Focuses on the lessening of demands or requirements, providing a clearer and more conventional phrasing.
minimized requirements
Highlights the act of reducing requirements to a minimum, conveying a sense of optimization.
lessened burden
Shifts the focus to the alleviation of a burden, implying that needs are being reduced to ease pressure.
fewer demands
Uses 'fewer' to quantify the reduced number of demands or requirements.
diminished requirements
Emphasizes the reduction or decline in the quantity or intensity of requirements.
alleviated requirements
Focuses on easing or relieving the burden of requirements.
mitigated needs
Highlights the act of lessening the severity or impact of needs.
eased demands
Indicates that demands have been made less strict or burdensome.
FAQs
Is "less the needs" grammatically correct?
No, "less the needs" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "fewer needs" because "needs" is a countable noun.
What are some alternatives to "less the needs"?
You can use alternatives like "reduced necessity", "fewer requirements", or "decreased demands" depending on the specific context.
How can I use "less" correctly when discussing requirements?
Use "less" with uncountable nouns. For instance, you might say "less emphasis on the needs" if you are discussing a reduced focus. When referring directly to needs, use "fewer".
What's the difference between "less the needs" and "fewer the needs"?
"Less the needs" is generally incorrect, while "fewer the needs" is grammatically better because "needs" is countable. However, it’s even better to rephrase for clarity, such as "fewer requirements".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested