less times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less times" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing a quantity that is decreasing. For example, "She has been late for work less times this month compared to last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

You see those pitchers a lot less times".

The New York Times - Sports

Seriously, the only thing is probably you play less times against lefties than righties.

The New York Times - Sports

With a maximum relative error 5%, all the polycrystals tested have a minimum RVE size of 16 or less times the grain size.

Mechanics of Materials

He said the government got warrants to continue spying on the person in the United States only "100 or less" times.

The New York Times

With a maximum relative error 5%, all the materials tested (with one exception) have a minimal RVE size of 20 or less times as large as the grain size.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

The stocks sell for 12 or less times trailing net (market average: 14), 0.75 or less times trailing revenue (market: 1.56).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Less time and heat".

The New Yorker

You take a lot less time off".

The New York Times - Sports

Therapy experts reckon on even less time.

The Economist

I have much less time for solitude.

The New York Times

It gave me less time to dwell.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a trend or change, use "less times" to indicate a reduction in the frequency of an event or action. For example: "He visited the doctor "less times" this year due to improved health".

Common error

Don't use "less times" when referring to the number of separate events or instances when "fewer times" would be more appropriate. Example: Incorrect: "I went to the store less times than my brother." Correct: "I went to the store fewer times than my brother."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate a reduced frequency of an action. Ludwig showcases how it's used in various contexts to express that something occurs with diminished regularity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less times" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase to indicate a reduction in frequency. While "fewer times" may be considered more grammatically precise, Ludwig AI shows that "less times" is widely accepted and used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Remember to use it when you want to convey that something occurs with diminished regularity. While both are used, remember that it's important to maintain consistency when choosing between "less times" and "fewer times".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less frequently

An adverbial phrase directly indicating a lower rate of occurrence.

fewer instances

Focuses on individual occurrences rather than a general frequency.

reduced frequency

Emphasizes the rate at which something happens is lower.

decreased number of times

More explicit about the diminishing count of occurrences.

not as often

A simpler, more colloquial way to express lower frequency.

on fewer occasions

Highlights specific instances rather than overall frequency.

a lower incidence

Suggests a statistical or analytical perspective on frequency.

smaller number of repetitions

Focuses on the count of repeated actions or events.

rarer occurrences

Highlights the unusual or infrequent nature of events.

on a declining number of occasions

Suggests a trend of decreasing instances over time.

FAQs

How can I use "less times" in a sentence?

Use "less times" to describe a decrease in the frequency of something. For example, "I've been eating out "less times" since I started cooking at home more often".

What's the difference between "less times" and "fewer times"?

"Less" generally refers to uncountable nouns, while "fewer" refers to countable nouns. However, "times" can be considered countable (as in, specific instances), so "fewer times" is often considered more grammatically correct. That being said, "less times" is commonly used and generally accepted, and often interchangeable with "fewer times".

What can I say instead of "less times"?

You can use alternatives like "less frequently", "not as often", or "on fewer occasions" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "less times"?

While some may argue that "fewer times" is more grammatically precise, Ludwig AI and many sources show that ""less times"" is widely used and accepted in both formal and informal contexts. The key is to ensure the meaning is clear and the usage is appropriate for your audience.