less the quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less the quality" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a reduction in quality, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The product was impressive, less the quality, which was subpar."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What makes Mr. Buress such an exciting talent is actually less the quality of his material than his distinctive delivery, which manages to sound laid back and propulsive at the same time, like a mellow stoner who speaks in the cadences of a Baptist preacher.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Combined with the deep neural network, this gives the program more or less the qualities of a good human gamer: the ability to interpret the screen, a knack for learning from past mistakes, and an overwhelming drive to win.

The New Yorker

The means of production matters less than the quality of the output.

The Guardian - Opinion

Achievement lies less in the quality of relationships than in the thrills of courtship and conquest.

The New Yorker

The quantity no less than the quality of debates has been degrading.

The New York Times

But the structure of an organisation matters less than the quality of the people who lead it.

The Economist

It will do little for London as an art-market centre and still less for the quality of its art.

The Economist

It says less about the quality of pop culture and more about the way in which we translate our love for it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They seem to be creating more and more bad racing and less of the quality and everything seems to be happening on a Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

During his time as England's captain John Terry was hardly noted for his verbal skills, even less for the quality of his aperçus.

The Guardian - Sport

The sheer amount of time spent with a child counts for less than the quality of the adult-child interaction in this regard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less the quality" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "reduced quality" or "lower quality".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "less the quality" when they intend to convey a reduction in quality. This phrasing is not standard English. Use alternatives like "reduced quality" or "inferior quality" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less the quality" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe a state where quality is reduced or diminished. However, due to its non-standard grammatical structure, it is not considered a correct or effective way to convey this meaning. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less the quality" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. As Ludwig indicates, it's better to opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives such as "reduced quality", "lower quality", or "inferior quality". While there are instances of its usage across various sources, including news and media, its ambiguous structure makes it less effective for conveying the intended meaning. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid this phrasing in formal writing to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced quality

Replaces the phrase with a more straightforward and grammatically sound expression of diminished quality.

lower quality

A simple and direct substitute, indicating a decrease in quality.

inferior quality

Emphasizes that the quality is not as good as something else.

poorer quality

A common and easily understood way to describe diminished quality.

degraded quality

Suggests that the quality has declined over time.

diminished quality

A more formal way of saying that the quality has decreased.

substandard quality

Indicates that the quality is below an acceptable standard.

compromised quality

Implies that the quality has been negatively affected by some factor.

quality is lacking

Highlights the absence or deficiency of quality.

deficient in quality

A more explicit way of saying that something lacks sufficient quality.

FAQs

How can I express that something has reduced quality?

Instead of "less the quality", use more common phrases like "reduced quality", "lower quality", or "inferior quality".

Is "less the quality" grammatically correct?

No, "less the quality" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases that clearly express a reduction in quality, such as "reduced quality" or "diminished quality".

What is a more formal way to say "less the quality"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "compromised quality", "diminished quality", or "substandard quality" instead of "less the quality".

Which is the correct phrasing: "less the quality" or "less of the quality"?

Neither "less the quality" nor "less of the quality" is ideal. It's best to rephrase using alternatives such as "reduced quality" or "inferior quality" for better clarity.