less well developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less well developed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as advanced or fully formed as something else. Example: "The theory presented in the paper is less well developed compared to the previous research on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

While, in general the patient self-report measures had good methodological development, the clinician report measures appeared less well developed.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The women, and especially the children, are less well developed.

The Guardian - Books

His stance on Jews who remained Jews was less well developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mitsubishi Tokyo has strong international and commercial operations but its consumer lending business is less well developed.

The New York Times

Land-based connections with Poland remain less well developed, though an autobahn between Berlin and Poland's northwestern port of Szczecin traverses the southeasternmost corner of the state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Children, however, are more sensitive to the toxicity of lead because the blood brain barrier is less well developed in children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Morphologically the developing saccules appeared more simplified with less well-developed septae.

BioMed Research International

Industry is less well-developed and is centred at Villach, Feldkirchen, Spittal, Völkermarkt, Wolfsberg (in the Lavanttal), and Klagenfurt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Their skills in those areas, strategic planning and thinking, may be less well-developed as a result".

The New York Times

Michael Simkins as the fraught energy boss and Freddie Meredith as a green-haired protester also fill out less well-developed roles.

The Guardian

And where capital markets are less well-developed, policies that dampen the business cycle can help more good firms to survive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less well developed", ensure you're making a clear comparison. Specify what the subject is less developed than for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "less well developed" without a clear point of reference. For example, instead of saying "The technology is less well developed", specify "The technology is less well developed compared to existing solutions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less well developed" typically functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is not as advanced, complete, or sophisticated as something else. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, where it's used to describe various subjects ranging from technologies to conceptual frameworks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less well developed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to describe something that is not as advanced or fully formed as something else. As noted by Ludwig, it's essential to use it in a context that provides a clear comparison to avoid vagueness. Proper usage involves specifying what the subject is less developed than. While it's versatile enough for various contexts, from science and news to encyclopedias and business, aim for precision and comparison for better clarity. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "not as advanced" or "underdeveloped".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underdeveloped

A single word synonym conveying a similar meaning.

not as advanced

Focuses on the stage of progress or advancement.

not fully formed

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of development.

less mature

Focuses on the comparative lack of maturity.

less sophisticated

Highlights a lack of complexity or refinement.

not as refined

Stresses a lack of polish or sophistication.

rudimentary

Implies a basic or initial stage of development.

in an early stage

Highlights the immaturity of the subject's growth.

at a preliminary level

Indicates the initial phase of development or study.

in its infancy

Uses a metaphor to describe the early stages of development.

FAQs

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

Use "less well developed" to compare the maturity, advancement, or complexity of one thing to another. For example: "The software's security features are "less well developed" than those of its competitors."

What are some alternatives to "less well developed"?

You can use alternatives like "not as advanced", "underdeveloped", or "less sophisticated" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "less well developed"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something is at an earlier stage of development, is not as complex, or lacks the maturity of something else. Be sure to provide a clear comparison for context.

Is "less well developed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less well developed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe something that is not as advanced or fully formed as something else, as Ludwig AI also confirms.