less to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less to do something" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. An example could be: "I have less to do today than I did yesterday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Whistler was the kind of score-keeping narcissist who seeks less to do something — though he worked extremely hard — than to be seen as having done something.

The New Yorker

But we are not the new race, and we stubbornly do not want to be anything but what we are — creatures aware of our faults and determined, more or less, to do something about those faults in our own way.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the public, which tends to take these players at face value, much as they might be able to do in a small community, has virtually no way of knowing that the players have incentives to be less than impartial, much less means to do something about it.

Huffington Post

And if the government has a stake in what the outcome of the policy is going to be then that makes it less likely to do something that's going to be damaging to the plant itself," he said.

Independent

Why this should be is not clear: some speculate that ATM users tend to be more spontaneous types, who like to have cash in their pocket and whose lifestyle may be more active; others hypothesise that sedentary commutes mean less time to do something healthy in the evening.The technology is not perfect.

The Economist

I get that it's hard when things get tense and crunchy or habitual and stale with our partners to even bring up the subject of sexuality, much less propose to do something to change the patterns that we've settled into.

Huffington Post

With fewer venture-funded start-ups threatening to put them out of business, big traditional companies feel in less of a panic to do something.

The Economist

"The more you take credit, the less able you are to do something the next time," said Mr. Sturz, 69, who is regarded as much for his penetrating social vision as for his sly-fox strategies for applying bricks and mortar to his ideas.

The New York Times

David Allen, who wrote Getting Things Done suggested that if it takes less than two minutes to do something, just do it.

BBC

In some ways it does make sense to have two types of exam - one for the very academic and one for people who are less academic who want to do something more applied, more vocational.

BBC

And the more in control you are of your emotions the less likely you are to do something mean or stupid".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express a reduced need or inclination to do something, consider using clearer and more common alternatives such as "less inclined to do something" or "less likely to do something". This ensures your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable nouns. "Less" is for uncountable nouns; use "fewer" instead. For example, say "fewer opportunities to do something" instead of "less opportunities to do something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less to do something" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically indicating a reduced level of necessity, inclination, or opportunity to perform an action. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard, suggesting alternatives are preferable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less to do something" is identified by Ludwig AI as non-standard English. While it appears in some contexts, particularly in news and media, it is generally advisable to opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "less likely to do something" or "less inclined to do something". Using these alternatives enhances clarity and ensures grammatical correctness. Furthermore, be mindful of using "fewer" instead of "less" when referring to countable nouns. Choosing precise language will strengthen your writing and prevent potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less inclined to act

Focuses on a reduced willingness to perform an action.

Less motivated to proceed

Highlights a decrease in motivation to continue with something.

Less eager to engage

Emphasizes a reduced enthusiasm for involvement.

Less pressure to act

Highlights that there is a low level of pressure to behave in a certain manner.

Under no obligation to proceed

Indicates a lack of duty to continue a particular task.

No longer compelled to do something

Emphasizes a diminishing drive or need to execute a certain action.

A lower priority to act

Highlights how the action is no longer important.

Less urgent to perform

Implies a decreased sense of immediacy in completing an action.

Not as necessary to carry out

Highlights a diminished relevance of an action.

Not as vital to undertake

Underlines that it is an action which is not mandatory.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less to do something" to sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "less likely to do something", "less inclined to do something", or "less motivated to do something" for clearer communication.

Is "less to do something" grammatically correct?

The phrase "less to do something" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "less likely to do something".

What's a more formal way to say "less to do something"?

In formal contexts, use phrases such as "less inclined to undertake", or "not as compelled to perform the action". These options provide a more polished and professional tone.

What are some common mistakes when using "less"?

A common mistake is using "less" with countable nouns. Instead, use "fewer". For example, say "fewer opportunities" not "less opportunities". Also, ensure your sentence structure is complete and clear when expressing reduced inclination or necessity.