less thing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less thing to" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incorrect construction and may be intended to express a reduction in the number of things, but it lacks clarity. Example: "Having fewer tasks means there is less thing to worry about."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You might as well get your ticket sooner rather than later so it'll be one less thing to worry about.

WikiHow

One less thing to think about.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One less thing to worry about".

The New York Times

It's one less thing to make decisions about.

The New York Times

It's one less thing to worry about, really".

The Guardian - Books

It's just one less thing to worry about".

The New York Times

It's one less thing to worry about now".

The New York Times - Sports

(So, breathe easy, one less thing to worry about).

The Guardian

"It's just one less thing for me to remember, one less thing to carry".

The New York Times - Tech

"It's just one less thing to worry about day to day".

The New York Times

"We want to give him one less thing to worry about," Knight said of Coughlin.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace the phrase "less thing to" with alternatives like "fewer things to" or "less to". This ensures clarity and adheres to standard English grammar.

Common error

Avoid using "less thing to" as it incorrectly applies "less", which is for uncountable nouns, to a countable noun. Instead, use "fewer things to" when referring to multiple items that can be counted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less thing to" functions as an attempt to express a reduction in the number of tasks, concerns, or items needing attention. However, it's grammatically flawed. As Ludwig AI states, the construction is incorrect and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

11%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less thing to" is frequently used to express a reduction in tasks, worries, or responsibilities. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It is more appropriate to use alternatives such as "fewer things to worry about" or "less to think about" for grammatical accuracy. While the phrase's intent is clear, its incorrect grammar can diminish clarity and credibility, especially in formal contexts. Therefore, while "less thing to" is widespread, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer things to worry about

Corrects the grammatical structure, replacing "less thing" with the proper plural form.

less to think about

Offers a more concise and grammatically sound way to express the idea.

one less worry

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of reduced concern.

one less item to consider

Replaces "thing to" with a more specific and grammatically correct alternative.

a smaller burden

Emphasizes the reduction in load or responsibility.

a reduced concern

Highlights the decrease in anxiety or preoccupation.

a weight off my shoulders

Idiomatic expression indicating a significant reduction in stress or worry.

a load lightened

Suggests a decrease in pressure or responsibility.

something off my plate

Informal expression for removing a task or responsibility.

easier to manage

Focuses on the simplification aspect of having fewer concerns.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with "less thing to"?

The phrase "less thing to" is grammatically incorrect because "less" should be used with uncountable nouns, while "thing" is countable. The correct phrase is "fewer things to" or "less to" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "less thing to"?

You can use alternatives like "fewer things to worry about", "less to think about", or "one less worry" depending on the context.

Is "less thing to" ever considered acceptable?

While "less thing to" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It's better to use grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and precision.

How can I avoid using "less thing to" in my writing?

Focus on using "fewer" when referring to countable items and "less" for uncountable nouns. For example, instead of "less thing to worry about", say "fewer things to worry about".