less weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less weight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is lighter in weight. For example, "This version of the product has less weight than the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So more power, less weight.

Independent

Political considerations carry less weight.

The New York Times

Other evidence carried less weight.

The New York Times

Concepts like shame held less weight.

The New York Times

Calves gain less weight and sell less.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Less weight and better gearing would help, too).

The New York Times

Certificates carry more or less weight in different professions.

The New York Times

"You've got less weight, less frontal area and less resistance.

The New York Times

Much less weight and clutter, and they stay put.

The New York Times

The less weight you carry, the better off you are.

The New Yorker

Much less weight is now attached to these charges.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing physical objects, use "less weight" to emphasize efficiency, agility, or reduced material usage. For instance, "The new model achieves better fuel economy due to its "less weight".

Common error

Avoid using "less weight" when you actually mean "less mass". Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force exerted on that mass by gravity. Use "less mass" in scientific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "less weight" is as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating a smaller quantity of heaviness. Ludwig's examples illustrate this in various contexts, from physical objects to abstract concepts like influence or importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less weight" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a reduction in physical heaviness or figurative importance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate "less weight" from "less mass" in scientific contexts and to choose semantically aligned alternatives based on the intended meaning. Remember, its application ranges from describing lighter objects to signifying diminished influence, making it a valuable asset in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced weight

Focuses on the action of weight reduction, rather than the state.

lower mass

Uses the scientific term "mass" instead of "weight".

lighter load

Uses a more figurative term ("load") to refer to weight, implying something carried.

diminished heft

Replaces "weight" with the more informal "heft", referring to the perceived heaviness of something.

minimal load

Emphasizes the smallness of the weight or burden.

decreased burden

Shifts from physical weight to a figurative burden, implying responsibility or pressure.

lessened pressure

Moves from physical weight to the metaphorical pressure it exerts.

reduced influence

Metaphorically refers to reduced impact or power.

smaller quantity

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the amount being weighed.

downgraded importance

Shifts the meaning to refer to reduced significance rather than physical weight.

FAQs

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

You can use "less weight" to describe a physical object that is lighter (e.g., "The bicycle has "less weight" than the motorcycle"), or to describe something that has reduced importance (e.g., "His opinion carried "less weight" after the scandal").

What phrases are similar to "less weight"?

Similar phrases include "reduced weight", "lighter load", or "lower mass". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "less weight" versus "lower weight"?

"Less weight" generally refers to a reduction in weight, while "lower weight" simply indicates a state of being lighter. For instance, "The redesign resulted in "less weight" overall", whereas "This product has a "lower weight" than its competitor".

Is it ever appropriate to use "less weight" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "less weight" can be used figuratively to describe something that has reduced importance or influence. For example, "His arguments carried "less influence"" or "His opinion had "less weight" after the investigation".