less user friendly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less user friendly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a product, service, or system that is not as easy to use or navigate compared to others. Example: "The new software update has made the interface less user friendly, causing frustration among users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The dynamic model takes days to run through its calculations, making it less user friendly, if more precise, than its predecessor -- but it has already proved its worth.

The New York Times - Science

Although less user friendly than CLC, TMAP is recommended because it is faster, license free, and easily compatible with other bioinformatics software.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

United Vacations offers a less user-friendly online experience than United Escapes.

The New York Times

Both were soldiers of greater, or at least less user-friendly culture wars.

The New York Times - Arts

AmpliTube has fewer standard stomp boxes and a less user-friendly interface.

The New York Times - Tech

It has a slightly less user-friendly interface, but unlike Find Craft Beer, Beermap lets you post reviews of establishments.

The New York Times - Tech

Chefs tend to be less user-friendly than front-of-house and, while Handling himself is personable, some of his colleagues, well, aren't.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each embellishment makes London less user-friendly; every additional adornment of this type makes our cities less enjoyable to live in.

Independent

The app uses its own mobile browser, so the format is sometimes less user-friendly than it might be on a company's dedicated app.

The New York Times - Tech

"I think if it does change and it becomes less user-friendly, then people will stop going there," Mr. Seasonwein said.

The New York Times

First a user had to translate a street address into lots-and-blocks real estate terminology, and then enter that data into an index that was less user-friendly than the updated presentation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing software or digital interfaces, be specific about why something is "less user friendly". For instance, mention confusing navigation, unclear instructions, or excessive steps required to complete a task.

Common error

Don't simply state that something is "less user friendly" without providing context. Explain the specific elements that contribute to the reduced usability. Vague statements lack actionable feedback for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less user friendly" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a reduced level of ease of use compared to something else. As Ludwig AI explains, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less user friendly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating reduced usability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and general contexts, used to express criticism or highlight disadvantages related to ease of use. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide specific details about why something is "less user friendly" to provide actionable insights. Alternatives include phrases like "more difficult to use" or "not as intuitive". Overall, "less user friendly" is a valuable term to use when discussing the usability of various products or systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more difficult to use

Focuses on the difficulty aspect of using the product or service.

not as intuitive

Highlights the lack of intuitiveness in the design or interface.

less accessible

Emphasizes reduced accessibility for users, potentially due to design or technical limitations.

more complicated

Indicates a higher degree of complexity in the usage or understanding of something.

not as easy to navigate

Specifies the difficulty in navigating or moving through a system or interface.

challenging to operate

Focuses on the operational challenges faced by users.

cumbersome to use

Highlights the unwieldy or inconvenient nature of using something.

presents usability issues

Directly points out the existence of problems related to usability.

not straightforward

Implies that the process or system lacks simplicity and directness.

inferior user experience

Refers to a degraded or poorer experience for the user in terms of interaction and satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I describe something that isn't user-friendly?

You can use phrases such as "more difficult to use", "not as intuitive", or "less accessible" to convey the same idea.

What makes something "less user friendly"?

Factors contributing to something being "less user friendly" can include a confusing interface, complicated steps, lack of clear instructions, poor design, or technical issues.

Is it better to say "less user friendly" or "difficult to use"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "less user friendly" often implies a comparison to something else, while "difficult to use" simply states that it is not easy.

What's the difference between "user-friendly" and "intuitive"?

"User-friendly" generally means easy to use and navigate, while "intuitive" means easy to understand and use without needing instructions. Something can be user-friendly without being fully intuitive, and vice versa.