less unattractive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less unattractive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as unappealing as it could be, often in a comparative context. Example: "After the renovation, the building is now less unattractive than it was before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But now falling bond yields in America, as well as in most of Europe, have made Japan a less unattractive place for investors to put their money.

The Economist

The principle of screening recommends introducing program attributes that are more attractive to the target population than to the rest of the population or attributes that are less unattractive to the target population than to the rest of the population.

The New York Times

But he admits that, in the current poor stock markets, their diversified portfolios, often with a large holding of safer assets like bonds, makes them a bit less unattractive.

The Guardian - Money

Last month the IFS published a paper on the subject saying that scrapping the fund would be one of the "less unattractive options" for a government looking for money.

The Guardian

The research firm predicted that recent disappointing news from Intel would "divert investors interest back towards Texas Instruments," whose valuation has become "significantly less unattractive".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It made me feel less isolated and unattractive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Petty, I have zero doubt, couldn't care less about the unattractive moments revealed over the film's long running time.

Huffington Post

Selling its best assets, including its money-making convenience stores, cut the firm's debt but left Daiei with unattractive and less lucrative outlets.

The Economist

A range of breast cancer-specific concerns are shown to impede return to pre-illness functioning such as being more self-conscious of how one is dressed, swollen or tender arms, pain, shortness of breath, feeling sexually unattractive, feeling less like a woman, and concerns related to changes in body weight, hair loss and the effects of stress on ones illness [ 55].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

"Deeply ingrained into culture is the notion that black female bodies, at the intersection of oppression, are less than human and therefore unattractive," Stenberg wrote.

Huffington Post

He's not unattractive; he's certainly less repulsive than his short, hairy and unctuous best friend, Morgan (Joshua Gomez).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for directness and clarity, consider "more appealing" or "somewhat attractive" as more straightforward alternatives.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "less unattractive" can sound overly formal or indirect in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "nicer" or "better" in informal settings to avoid sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less unattractive" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a reduced degree of unattractiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to express relative degrees of appeal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less unattractive" is a grammatically correct comparative adjective phrase used to express that something has become more appealing, or is at least not as unappealing as it once was. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and usable. While infrequent, its use is most common in news and media, science and encyclopedic contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases like "more appealing" or "somewhat attractive" for simpler or more direct communication. When writing, remember that "less unattractive" can sound overly formal in casual settings, so choose your words carefully to match the context and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as unattractive

Directly compares the degree of unattractiveness, similar in meaning to the original phrase.

not entirely unattractive

Indicates that while there might be some unattractive aspects, it is not completely without appeal.

not without appeal

Implies some level of attractiveness exists, even if it's not immediately obvious.

more appealing

Indicates a shift towards a positive attribute of being attractive, the opposite of unattractive.

somewhat attractive

Suggests a moderate level of attractiveness, implying it's not fully attractive but has some appeal.

slightly appealing

Emphasizes a small degree of attractiveness, implying a subtle positive quality.

relatively attractive

Suggests attractiveness when compared to something else.

has its charms

Highlights the presence of appealing qualities, even if not conventionally attractive.

increasingly desirable

Highlights a gradual increase in appeal or attractiveness over time.

more tolerable

Shifts the focus from attractiveness to acceptability, suggesting something is now easier to accept.

FAQs

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

You can use "less unattractive" to describe something that has improved in appearance or appeal. For example, "After the renovation, the building is "less unattractive" than it was before".

What are some alternatives to saying "less unattractive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "more appealing", "somewhat attractive", or "not as unattractive". Each of these phrases offers a slightly different nuance in describing the degree of attractiveness.

Is it better to say "less unattractive" or "more attractive"?

The choice between "less unattractive" and "more attractive" depends on what you want to emphasize. "Less unattractive" focuses on the reduction of negative qualities, while "more attractive" emphasizes the increase in positive qualities. For example, the building is "more attractive" after the renovation.

When is it appropriate to use "less unattractive" instead of "not unattractive"?

"Less unattractive" implies a comparison or a change from a previous state. "Not unattractive" simply states that something has some degree of appeal. So, the first is used to compare, while the second is used as a simple statement.