less valuable than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less valuable than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the value of two items, indicating that one has a lower value compared to the other. Example: "In terms of investment potential, this property is less valuable than the one we looked at last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this situation the people are less valuable than the artefacts.

The Guardian - Film

Third-edition copies, from 1649, are much less valuable than second-edition copies.

The New Yorker

And there are occasions when exalted principles are less valuable than mundane political skills.

The New York Times

Polgár understood that coercion was less valuable than small children's need to enjoy fantasy play.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even then, however, some of those new credentials proved less valuable than their owners had hoped.

The Guardian - Money

This would mean your returns for that year will be less valuable than you initially thought.

Harvard Business Review

But, properly understood and argued for, Britain is no less valuable than it ever was.

The Economist

We briefly thought of throwing him back, because pinks are less valuable than silvers.

The Economist

Mashable, the tech blog, has assembled a list of 10 things less valuable than Facebook.

The New York Times

But here in the US, time is also less valuable than money.

Independent

But Rajaratnam signaled that those connections were less valuable than his deep pockets.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the relative worth of intangible assets, ensure the context is clear. For instance, specify the criteria on which the assessment of value is based, such as "In terms of long-term career growth, practical experience can often be "less valuable than" advanced education".

Common error

Ensure that items being compared share common attributes that can be quantified or qualitatively assessed. Avoid statements like "Kindness is "less valuable than" a sports car", as these items exist in separate value systems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less valuable than" functions as a comparative, specifically used to indicate that one item or concept has a lower worth, importance, or desirability compared to another. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less valuable than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative expression used to indicate a lower level of worth, importance, or desirability. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is accurate and appropriate in various contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that you are comparing items with shared, quantifiable attributes. Alternatives include "not as valuable as" and "of lesser value than". It is recommended to avoid using the phrase when comparing non-comparable items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as valuable as

Replaces "less" with "not as", maintaining a similar comparative structure but with a slightly different emphasis.

of lesser value than

Uses a more formal tone by replacing "less valuable" with "of lesser value".

not worth as much as

Simplifies the wording to express a lack of equivalent monetary value.

of reduced worth compared to

A more descriptive phrase highlighting the decrease in value relative to something else.

inferior in value to

Uses "inferior" to directly state that the value is lower.

not nearly as precious as

Emphasizes the difference in preciousness rather than general value.

does not hold the same value as

Shifts the focus to the concept of "holding value" rather than directly comparing worth.

lacks the significance of

Alters the comparison to focus on the significance or importance.

secondary in importance to

Specifically indicates that one item has a lower level of importance.

subordinate in merit to

Employs a more formal tone with the word "subordinate", highlighting the lower merit.

FAQs

How can I use "less valuable than" in a sentence?

Use "less valuable than" to compare the worth, importance, or desirability of two things. For example, "In the antique market, items in poor condition are often "less valuable than" those in mint condition."

What are some alternatives to saying "less valuable than"?

You can use alternatives such as "not as valuable as", "of lesser value than", or "not worth as much as" to express a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "less valuable than" in formal writing?

While "less valuable than" is generally acceptable, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "of lesser value than" or another synonym might be more suitable.

Can "less valuable than" be used for both tangible and intangible things?

Yes, "less valuable than" can be used to compare both tangible assets (e.g., "This car is "less valuable than" that one") and intangible qualities (e.g., "In this context, speed is "less valuable than" accuracy").