less wholeheartedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less wholeheartedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not fully committed or enthusiastic about something compared to another instance. Example: "While she supported the project, she did so less wholeheartedly than her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Democratic losses on November 3rd would certainly hurt Mr Obama, not least by inclining congressional Democrats in vulnerable seats to co-operate less wholeheartedly with his agenda.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

HP, for its part, is also less than wholeheartedly throwing its weight behind the Merced chip; it is spending tens of millions on developing future generations of its own proprietary line of high-end processors.

Forbes

Instead, she insists that she has never done anything less than 100percentnt wholeheartedly in her life and that it would be impractical for her to contemplate battling against a rising generation of teenage Asian wonderkids at the same time as aiming for credibility in business.

The Guardian - Sport

She tells him stories about a country estate called Staplefield, the site of her suspiciously idyllic childhood — tales that Gerard, in his markedly less romantic circumstances, believes wholeheartedly and yearns to investigate further.

The New York Times - Books

"He wholeheartedly agreed with the less-is-more approach," said Lisa Dewald Stoll, Mr. Pataki's communications director.

The New York Times

Barnes & Noble's Nook is a solid ereading device, but it's hard to wholeheartedly recommend it over the less expensive and arguably superior Amazon Kindle.

TechCrunch

A lot of the guys I talked to wholeheartedly agree that they're a lot less selfish in bed than they used to be, but if I'm honest, I think some were bullshitting me.

Vice

I was defeated wholeheartedly by a 240-pound woman who gave me far less than everything she had.

Vice

Mayer Rosenzweig Manhattan, Dec. 16 * To the Editor: I agree wholeheartedly that the charitable deduction be maintained, to encourage giving to the less fortunate or for research to benefit mankind.

The New York Times

And while I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment, I think it could be presented in a less abstract fashion.

Huffington Post

This kind of uncertainty keeps many patients from throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the ethos of hope and empowerment that helps sustain many women with less aggressive forms of the disease.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it a lack of enthusiasm, dedication, or commitment? Choose the alternative phrase that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "less wholeheartedly" when you actually mean "not at all". This phrase indicates a reduced level of enthusiasm, not a complete absence of it. If there's no enthusiasm, use phrases like "without any enthusiasm" or "not at all enthusiastically".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less wholeheartedly" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this modifier indicates a reduced degree of enthusiasm or commitment compared to a previous instance or expectation. Examples show it modifying verbs related to support or agreement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less wholeheartedly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that effectively conveys a reduced level of enthusiasm or commitment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's found in various reputable sources, primarily within news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and consider the specific nuance you wish to express—whether it's diminished enthusiasm, dedication, or commitment. Alternatives like "with diminished enthusiasm" or "not as enthusiastically" can offer subtly different shades of meaning, enhancing the precision of your writing. Avoid using it when you mean a complete absence of enthusiasm, opting instead for phrases like "without enthusiasm".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as enthusiastically

Directly compares the level of enthusiasm to a previous or expected state.

with diminished enthusiasm

Emphasizes the reduced level of enthusiasm.

in a half-hearted manner

Suggests a lack of genuine interest or effort.

with less fervor

Highlights a decrease in intensity and passion.

with reserved enthusiasm

Indicates a cautious or restrained display of enthusiasm.

with a degree of reluctance

Indicates some unwillingness or hesitation.

without complete dedication

Focuses on the absence of full commitment.

with a lack of total commitment

Highlights the absence of a complete pledge.

with less zeal

Emphasizes the reduced level of passion or eagerness.

with partial commitment

Highlights that the commitment is not complete or full.

FAQs

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

You can use "less wholeheartedly" to show a decrease in commitment or enthusiasm toward something. For instance, "She supported the initiative, but "less wholeheartedly" than she had previous projects".

What's a good alternative to saying "less wholeheartedly"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "with diminished enthusiasm", "not as enthusiastically", or "in a half-hearted manner".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less wholeheartedly"?

Yes, "less wholeheartedly" is grammatically correct. It's used to indicate a reduced degree of enthusiasm or commitment in comparison to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from reliable sources.

What's the difference between "less wholeheartedly" and "without enthusiasm"?

"Less wholeheartedly" implies some level of support or enthusiasm, but to a lesser extent, whereas "without enthusiasm" suggests a complete lack of enthusiasm. The former shows a diminished commitment, the latter, none.