less well for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less well for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the effectiveness or suitability of something in a specific context or for a particular group. Example: "The new policy seems to work less well for remote workers compared to those in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All bode less well for health.

The New York Times

Perhaps it is working less well for Ed Miliband than it does for Burnham.

The Guardian - Opinion

The track record for namesakes, though, augurs less well for this year's pair of Johns.

The New York Times

Her book scores high for "readability", but less well for the kind of excellence Stothard's looking for.

The Guardian - Books

A playful idleness suits a Mötley Crüe fan, and it can even serve a memoirist, but it works less well for a polemicist.

The New York Times - Books

But other findings augured less well for the future of American Catholicism, especially considering that the group surveyed is above average in its religious upbringing.

The New York Times

We like to make connections but lack of time and discomfort with self-promotion often means the standard networking model works less well for us than for men.

The Guardian

The day went considerably less well for Michael Hills, who had been due to end his 33-year career with a smart-looking book of rides at Newmarket.

The Guardian - Sport

Walter went on, "He doesn't write less well for women; it's just that the themes are smaller, on the whole, and they are less fulfilled characters.

The New Yorker

It has worked for Fox News, although less well for MSNBC which set out to be the Yin to Fox's Yang.

The Guardian

Yet the emperor has another claim to fame that may bode less well for any brotherly love between Taiwan and the mainland in years to come.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less well for", ensure you clearly define the context or comparison group to provide clarity. For example, specify what the subject is "less well for" compared to.

Common error

Avoid using "less well for" without specifying what the subject is being compared to. This omission can lead to ambiguity and weaken the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less well for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a comparison of suitability or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly when discussing how something performs relative to a specific purpose or group. It highlights a diminished level of advantage or appropriateness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less well for" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a comparative lack of suitability or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across contexts like news, science, and business. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to explicitly state what the subject is being compared to. Alternatives include "not as effective for" or "less suitable for". Remember to provide context and avoid ambiguity to make your writing more precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as effective for

Indicates a lower degree of effectiveness compared to something else.

not as suitable for

Highlights a reduced level of appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation.

less appropriate for

Emphasizes a decreased level of suitability in a given context.

not ideal for

Suggests the subject is suboptimal for a particular use.

less beneficial for

Focuses on the reduced advantages or positive outcomes for a specific entity.

works poorly for

Highlights a negative outcome or low performance in a given situation.

not as advantageous for

Indicates a lower level of benefit or gain in a specific context.

less helpful for

Suggests a decreased level of assistance or support in a particular context.

not very useful for

Emphasizes a reduced level of utility or practicality for a specific purpose.

less conducive to

Indicates a lower degree of contribution or facilitation towards a particular outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "less well for" to indicate that something is not as suitable or effective for a particular purpose or group compared to something else. For example, "This strategy works well for museums, but "less well for" your living room."

What are some alternatives to "less well for"?

Some alternatives include "not as effective for", "less suitable for", or "not ideal for", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "less well for" compared to?

Yes, it's best practice to clarify the comparison to avoid ambiguity. Omitting the comparison can make the sentence unclear. For example, instead of just saying "It works less well", specify "It works "less well for" complex tasks compared to simpler ones".

What's the difference between "less well for" and "less effective for"?

While similar, ""less well for"" is broader and can refer to suitability or appropriateness, whereas "less effective for" specifically refers to a decrease in achieving a desired outcome. You may say that one strategy works "less well for" a certain goal when you want to communicate about the appropriateness for the goal, whereas the sentence is "less effective for" when you talk about the outcome itself.