less uncertainties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less uncertainties" is not correct in standard English; it should be "fewer uncertainties." You can use "fewer uncertainties" when discussing a reduction in the number of unknowns or risks in a situation.
Example: "By implementing these new strategies, we aim to create fewer uncertainties in our project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The new data have less uncertainties at extreme temperatures than the old data and eliminate some of the problems associated with subtraction of the emission signal with the old apparatus.

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

Even on time scales of a few days or less, uncertainties in the initial state of the atmosphere may lead to substantial forecast errors.

Biology Direct

With hope therefore, uncovering the molecular genetic basis of unipolar depression promises to throw up less uncertainties and produce more consistency than has been characteristic of linkage and association studies in psychiatry.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

No. Right now, we need less uncertainty".

The New York Times

"This time there will be less holding back, less uncertainty.

The Guardian

To achieve greater growth, there has to be less uncertainty.

The Guardian - Business

The men's race will have less uncertainty.

The New York Times

"There is less uncertainty than three years ago," he said.

The New York Times

There's less uncertainty and much more motivation around these projects.

The New Yorker

The Investors Intelligence newsletter, a measure of current sentiment, also points to less uncertainty.

The New York Times

"We're looking forward to going to the show with a lot less uncertainty".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, use "fewer uncertainties" instead of "less uncertainties".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable items like uncertainties; instead, opt for "fewer" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase generally acts as a modifier describing a state or situation with a reduced amount of uncertainty. However, using "less" with a countable noun is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that "fewer" should be used instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less uncertainties" is grammatically questionable as "less" is typically used for uncountable nouns. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form would be "fewer uncertainties". Although there are examples where "less uncertainties" is used, primarily in scientific and news-related articles, it's recommended to use "fewer uncertainties" for grammatical accuracy. Alternatives like "reduced uncertainties" or "minimized uncertainties" can also effectively convey the intended meaning, focusing on a reduction in the amount of unknowns or risks. To be more specific, it's essential to consider the formal grammatical rules and aim for precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer uncertainties

Replaces "less" (used for uncountable nouns) with "fewer" (used for countable nouns) to correct the grammatical error.

reduced uncertainties

Substitutes "less" with "reduced" to emphasize the action of decreasing uncertainties.

minimized uncertainties

Replaces "less" with "minimized" to highlight a significant reduction in uncertainties.

decreased uncertainties

Emphasizes a decline in the number or impact of uncertainties.

lower uncertainties

Suggests a decrease in the magnitude or level of uncertainties.

smaller uncertainties

Indicates a reduction in the scale or scope of uncertainties.

less ambiguity

Focuses specifically on reducing vagueness or lack of clarity.

reduced risks

Shifts the focus from uncertainty to the potential negative consequences (risks).

improved predictability

Highlights the outcome of reducing uncertainties, which is enhanced predictability.

greater clarity

Indicates an increase in clearness and understanding, achieved by lessening uncertainties.

FAQs

Should I use "less" or "fewer" with uncertainties?

The correct term is "fewer uncertainties". "Less" is used for uncountable nouns, while "fewer" is used for countable nouns such as uncertainties.

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "less uncertainties"?

A grammatically sound alternative to "less uncertainties" is "fewer uncertainties". You could also use phrases like "reduced uncertainties" or "minimized uncertainties".

In what contexts can I use the phrase "fewer uncertainties"?

You can use "fewer uncertainties" in contexts where you're discussing a reduction in the number of unknowns, risks, or ambiguities associated with a situation, project, or decision.

Are there synonyms for "less uncertainties" that focus on the outcome of reducing uncertainty?

Yes, you can use phrases like "improved predictability" or "greater clarity" to emphasize the positive results of reducing uncertainties.