less unpleasant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less unpleasant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two things, indicating that one is not as unpleasant as the other. Example: "The weather today is less unpleasant than it was yesterday, making it more bearable to go outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is less unpleasant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you exercise regularly, keeping fit becomes easier and less unpleasant, until it becomes a habit.

The New York Times

Dr. Siddall also dismissed the claim that leeches secrete a painkiller that makes their application less unpleasant.

The New York Times

Where our Iraqi counterparts have some complaint, they can take it up in a calmer and less unpleasant manner.

The New York Times

Presumably, losing your life in a highway smashup is less unpleasant than slowly dying of bladder cancer.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, this observation does not by itself explain liberals' preoccupation with progressive policies which often aim to make people's lives more pleasant, as opposed to less unpleasant.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Part of our prosperity has arisen because we are spending less on an unpleasant necessity, defense.

Forbes

I can in real time follow the changes in it: it is now somewhat less intense and unpleasant, now more; it is getting duller now, it was sharper and brighter a moment ago; it seems to be moving toward my fingers, etc.

SEP

"No taxes," Washington says, "can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant".

Huffington Post

Table  2 contains a breakdown of the common & well understood consequences of treatment, less common and unpleasant side-effects and rare events associated with the techniques used in FiCTION.

BMC Oral Health

Dislocated from that context, Jimmy's repetitive, misogynistic bullying is every bit as unpleasant but less interesting - stage, television and film have developed such characters more fully.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less unpleasant" to objectively compare situations or experiences, indicating one is an improvement over another without necessarily being positive. For example, "The revised policy is less unpleasant than the original, though still unpopular."

Common error

Avoid using "less unpleasant" when a more positive term is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The surprise party was less unpleasant than expected", consider "The surprise party was more enjoyable than expected" to convey enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less unpleasant" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating a reduced degree of unpleasantness. Ludwig AI's examples confirm its role in contrasting two scenarios, with one being notably better than the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less unpleasant" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is improved but not necessarily enjoyable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure it's appropriate for the level of positivity you intend to convey. Alternatives like "more tolerable" or "somewhat better" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Remembering to compare and not confuse "less unpleasant" with overly positive language is a key to using this term effectively. The frequency across authoritative sources makes it a reliable choice for professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more tolerable

Indicates a higher degree of acceptance compared to "less unpleasant".

more bearable

Emphasizes the increased ability to endure a situation compared to simply being "less unpleasant".

not as bad

A more informal and direct way of expressing that something is improved but still undesirable.

somewhat better

Highlights a degree of improvement, focusing on the positive change from a previous state.

marginally improved

Suggests a slight enhancement, emphasizing the small degree of positive change.

slightly preferable

Indicates a mild preference, suggesting one option is only a little better than another.

minutely superior

Emphasizes a very small advantage, suitable for formal contexts.

faintly advantageous

Suggests a subtle benefit, often used in analytical or evaluative contexts.

a bit easier to stomach

An idiomatic expression indicating something is now more acceptable or tolerable, often used informally.

a shade better

Emphasizes a small degree of improvement, often used in informal or descriptive contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "less unpleasant" to compare two experiences, indicating that one is an improvement over the other. For example, "The new medication's side effects are "less unpleasant" than those of the previous one".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "less unpleasant"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "more tolerable", "not as bad", or "somewhat better" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "less unpleasant" rather than "more pleasant"?

"Less unpleasant" is suitable when describing something that is still undesirable but improved, whereas "more pleasant" indicates a positive experience. Use "less unpleasant" to show improvement without necessarily achieving a positive outcome.

Is "least unpleasant" a better alternative to "less unpleasant"?

"Least unpleasant" is appropriate when selecting one option from a group, indicating it's the best among undesirable choices. For comparing two options, "less unpleasant" is correct.