less well

USAGE SUMMARY

"less well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing one thing to another in a negative way. For example: "Joe did the job less well than his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less well known?

The New York Times

Some dishes fare less well.

The New Yorker

Brooke comes off less well.

Independent

Europe is less well endowed.

The Economist

Other starters fared less well.

The New York Times

Britain has done less well.

The Economist

Greenhills has fared less well.

The New York Times

Blacks did less well.

The New York Times

Residents fared less well.

The New York Times

Eden does less well.

The Guardian - Books

Others fare less well.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less well" when comparing two or more things or actions, highlighting a difference in quality or success. For example, "He performed the task less well than his colleague."

Common error

Avoid using "less well" when you should be using "fewer" with countable nouns. "Less well" is for uncountable nouns and adverbs. Instead of "less well cars", say "fewer cars".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less well" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating a lower degree of quality, skill, or success in performing an action or existing in a state. It serves to compare and contrast, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, often highlighting deficiencies relative to another entity or standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less well" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial modifier, indicating a lower degree of quality or success in comparison. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, although most frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, remember to use "less well" with uncountable nouns and adverbs, and consider alternatives like ""not as well"" or ""more poorly"" for varied expression. Keep in mind its neutral register to make an informed decision about formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as well

Emphasizes a direct comparison, highlighting the difference in quality or performance.

not so well

A slightly less formal way of expressing that something is not up to par.

more poorly

Focuses on the negative aspect of the performance or condition.

worse

A simpler, more direct way of saying something is not as good.

to a lesser extent

Indicates a smaller degree or amount of something.

not to the same degree

Highlights the difference in intensity or completeness.

with less success

Focuses on the outcome or achievement of an action.

not as effectively

Emphasizes the lack of efficiency or impact.

in a less satisfactory manner

A more formal way of saying something was not done well.

suboptimally

A concise, technical term indicating performance below the optimal level.

FAQs

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

"Less well" is used to compare how effectively or successfully something is done. For example, "She sings less well than her sister."

What's a simple alternative to saying "less well"?

Alternatives include "not as well", "more poorly", or simply "worse", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less well"?

Yes, "less well" is grammatically correct when used to compare how something is done in a negative way. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What is the difference between "less well" and "not as good"?

"Less well" typically refers to the manner in which something is done, while "not as good" is a more general comparison of quality. For example, "He writes less well" versus "His book is not as good".