less to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less to ask" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that there are fewer questions or requests to make in a given context. Example: "With the new guidelines in place, there is less to ask from the team during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(Since launching, Google's Alex Russell pointed us towards the Quota API which allows you to request additional permanent storage, but for now we prefer the partial approach as it's less to ask of people who may not yet be fully committed to the app).

The Guardian

Thus it makes little sense to ask whether the soprano's high C is higher or lower than Mount Everest much less to ask (quantitatively) how much higher or lower it is.

SEP

As I was leaving, I made sure to get my "date outfit" approved by my partner, less to ask if it was appropriate and more to assure I didn't look like a fool.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

People with less health literacy are less likely to ask questions of clinicians.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Less contact with consultants has resulted in consultants having less confidence in the SpRs' abilities and are hence less likely to ask them to undertake complex anaesthetics and procedures on challenging patients[ 38].

BMC Medical Education

Not only are women less likely to ask in the workplace, they are also less likely to ask friends, unlike men, who will say that they prefer to do business with friends.

Huffington Post

For example, participants were less likely to ask about consciousness disorders during history taking, and less likely to examine the nervous system during the clinical examination, to exclude the possibility of meningitis.

BMJ Open

Individuals with low health literacy are more passive when interacting with providers, less likely to engage in shared decision making, and are less likely to ask questions [ 66].

Cancer Medicine

This might also be because women are less likely to ask male partners their HIV status due to having less power or because men do not feel obliged to disclose [ 15].

AIDS and Behavior

Miller and colleagues [ 59] report that practitioners provided less information to ethnic minority parents and parents with low SES and were less likely to ask their opinion or encourage questions.

BMC Medical Ethics

Providers were less likely to respond to the corruption category than the low-risk one, but also less likely to ask for identification when they did reply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less to ask" when you want to gently convey that a process or situation has been streamlined or simplified, reducing the number of questions or requests needed.

Common error

Avoid using "less to ask" if you actually mean there's nothing more to be done. The phrase implies a reduction, not a complete absence, of questions or requests.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less to ask" functions as a modifier indicating a reduced need for questions or requests. It highlights a simplification or streamlining of a process or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less to ask" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signals a reduction in the necessity for questions or requests. Ludwig AI identifies its register as generally neutral, making it suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, as demonstrated by the examples. When aiming for more formal communication, consider alternatives such as "reduced need for inquiry". Be mindful that it suggests a reduction, not an elimination, of inquiries. The phrase's primary function is to convey ease and convenience, highlighting that something now requires less effort to interact with.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer questions to raise

Focuses on reducing the number of questions rather than the act of asking.

reduced need for inquiry

Emphasizes the decreased necessity for investigation or questioning.

less need for requests

Highlights a decrease in the demand for making requests.

smaller burden of inquiry

Suggests a lighter load or responsibility in terms of questioning.

minimal need to inquire

Indicates that there is very little requirement to ask questions.

less reason to question

Highlights a diminished justification or cause for asking questions.

fewer demands for information

Implies a decrease in the need to request information.

decreased need for clarification

Focuses on the reduced necessity for making things clearer.

simplified requirements

Emphasizes that the requirements have been simplified.

easier to understand

Highlights improved understandability, reducing the need for questions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less to ask" to sound more formal?

In a formal setting, consider using alternatives such as "reduced need for inquiry" or "minimal requirement for clarification" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

What's the difference between "less to ask" and "fewer questions to raise"?

"Less to ask" focuses on the act of asking, while "fewer questions to raise" emphasizes the quantity of questions. The former suggests a simplified process, the latter a reduced volume of inquiries.

When is it appropriate to use "less to ask" in a sentence?

Use "less to ask" when you want to indicate that a situation or process has been made simpler or more straightforward, resulting in fewer questions or requests needed from someone.

Is "less to ask" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less to ask" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources.