less thoughtful than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less thoughtful than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of thoughtfulness between two subjects or ideas. Example: "Her response was less thoughtful than I expected, lacking the depth I was hoping for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It isn't that she is any simpler or less thoughtful than he is, but rather that they don't share the same cultural references and expectations.

The New York Times

But, while it's cheering to find black theatre taking centre stage, Kwei-Armah's lively, dialogue-rich play eventually lapses into melodrama: it's good, gutsy stuff but less thoughtful than his follow-up play, Fix Up.

The Guardian

But, if we demand that journalists have no motives at all, we'll be forced to outsource the job to algorithms and drones, which are — so far, at least — even less thoughtful than humans.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's less thoughtful farce than kooky aunt trying to make a 2-year-old giggle.

The New York Times

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is a less capacious, less thoughtful book than The Glass Room, and some readers will find it – a thriller, I suppose – unsatisfying in the end.

The Guardian - Books

She does note that Fenton moved the cannonballs onto the road (a claim Morris's investigation confirms) — but she is neither more outraged nor less thoughtful about this than Morris.

The New York Times - Books

Now Mr. Gingrich is starting to flesh out that idea since he has revived his standing on the right wing of the party and appears to think he's got a shot at the nomination but it turns out to be much less thoughtful and generous than it appeared during the debate.

The New York Times

Rzepecki certainly believes they've been less thoughtful in their approach than SoBi, which has more than a thousand of its own bikes in Santa Monica, Ca., and Portland, Ore., among other places in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

TechCrunch

Powell had the ability -- a useful one, perhaps -- always to have looked less thoughtful, if not less abstracted, than in fact he appears to have been.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Harris is a more effective and vigorous but less thoughtful producer on this album than he was two albums ago.

The New York Times - Arts

Is his questioner nevertheless right to detect in him a freer, less thoughtful enthusiasm for Matisse and Picasso than for his cherished abstractionists?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less thoughtful than" when you want to directly compare and contrast the degree of thoughtfulness between two subjects or actions. For example, "His email was less thoughtful than his previous letters".

Common error

Avoid using "less thoughtful than" to imply a complete lack of thoughtfulness. It's a comparative phrase, so ensure there's a clear point of comparison. Instead of saying "He's less thoughtful than anyone," specify the comparison: "He's less thoughtful than his brother."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less thoughtful than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one subject or action exhibits a lower degree of thoughtfulness compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less thoughtful than" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for comparing levels of thoughtfulness. As supported by Ludwig AI, it functions as a comparative adjective phrase, primarily used in news and media contexts. While not as frequent as simpler comparative phrases, it effectively conveys a contrast in consideration or depth of thought. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly establish the basis for comparison to avoid ambiguity, and consider that alternatives like "not as considerate as" or "more superficial than" may be appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less considerate than

Directly contrasts the level of consideration.

less reflective than

Highlights a reduced tendency to think deeply or carefully.

not as considerate as

Emphasizes a lack of consideration in comparison to something else.

less perceptive than

Indicates a reduced ability to understand or notice things.

less profound than

Directly contrasts the level of profoundness.

not as insightful as

Highlights a lack of depth or understanding.

not as deep as

Indicates a lack of profoundness or complexity.

not as profound as

Emphasizes a lack of intellectual or emotional depth.

more superficial than

Contrasts depth of thought with a surface-level approach.

more shallow than

Implies a lack of depth in thought or understanding.

FAQs

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

Use "less thoughtful than" to compare the degree of thoughtfulness between two subjects or actions. For example: "Her gift was less thoughtful than the one she gave last year".

What are some alternatives to "less thoughtful than"?

You can use alternatives like "not as considerate as", "less considerate than", or "more superficial than" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less thoughtful than"?

Yes, the phrase "less thoughtful than" is grammatically correct and commonly used to make comparisons.

What's the difference between "less thoughtful than" and "not as thoughtful as"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "less thoughtful than" directly compares the degree of thoughtfulness, while "not as thoughtful as" emphasizes a deficiency in thoughtfulness relative to something else. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.