less the point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less the point" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of the phrase "save the point" or "aside from the point." Example: "The discussion was interesting, save the point about budget constraints, which we need to address later."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This is more or less the point of George Orwell's "1984," of course.

The New York Times - Books

Last night, the guests were much less the point than the host.

The New York Times - Arts

Some might argue that making provocative claims is more or less the point of doing philosophy.

The New York Times

But that is less the point of the movie than a by-product of the kind of stories he tells.

The New York Times

This vast multimedia extravaganza bore no resemblance to the elegant easel paintings for which he was known, and that was more or less the point.

The New York Times - Arts

The fan deserved what came his way but none the less the point seems clear: hockey is a game where people lose their heads.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

KPIs are less the points of a compass than a GPS visualization for managers seeking to better navigate complexity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The actual decision is more or less beside the point.

The New York Times

Point-shaving also usually involves a favored team playing poorly to win by less than the point spread.

The New York Times - Sports

Not that the home side deserved anything less than the point they celebrated with gusto at the final whistle.

The Guardian - Sport

So to say that Paolini is an unskilled narrator and a derivative mythmaker is more or less beside the point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less the point" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "beside the point" or "irrelevant" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

The phrase "less the point" might arise from a misunderstanding of how to form comparative sentences. Ensure you're using correct phrasing by either using "less important than" or a more direct alternative like "irrelevant."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less the point" is grammatically incorrect and does not function as a standard expression in English. According to Ludwig AI, it represents a misunderstanding of comparative structures and is rarely, if ever, used in formal or informal communication.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less the point" is grammatically incorrect and lacks established usage in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a potential misinterpretation of comparative structures. Because of its lack of clarity and absence in authoritative sources, it's best to avoid using this phrase. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "beside the point", "irrelevant", or "immaterial" to ensure your message is effectively conveyed. Using such alternatives will enhance clarity and credibility in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beside the point

Indicates that something is irrelevant or not important to the current discussion or situation.

irrelevant

Directly states that something is not connected to or important to the matter at hand.

immaterial

Similar to irrelevant, but emphasizes that something has no real significance or consequence.

of little consequence

Highlights that something is not important and has minimal impact.

not the main issue

Focuses on the idea that something is secondary to the primary concern.

a minor detail

Identifies something as a small and insignificant element within a larger context.

not significant

Directly asserts that something lacks importance or noteworthiness.

of secondary importance

Indicates that something is less important than other considerations.

not pertinent

Emphasizes that something is not directly related to the matter being considered.

not germane

Similar to not pertinent, but with a more formal tone, suggesting a lack of relevance.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "beside the point"?

Saying something is "beside the point" means it's not relevant or important to the current discussion or situation. It's a way of indicating that the information being presented doesn't contribute to the main issue being addressed.

What are some alternatives to saying something is "less the point"?

Since "less the point" is not grammatically correct, you can use alternatives like "beside the point", "irrelevant", or "immaterial" to convey that something is not important or relevant.

How can I correctly express that something is of diminished importance?

To correctly express diminished importance, you can use phrases like "of little consequence", "not the main issue", or "of secondary importance".

Is "less the point" grammatically correct?

No, "less the point" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use established phrases such as "beside the point" or "irrelevant".