less wider

USAGE SUMMARY

'less wider' is not correct in written English.
The correct phrase is 'less wide'. An example sentence could be: "She opened the door a bit wider, but he shook his head and said it should be less wide."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"A simple cut could badly backfire as it will mean the industry will be unable to develop a supply chain to get the benefits to allow it to bring its costs down, meaning we end up paying more for less power and less wider economic benefits," she said.

The Guardian

The moveable part, or cursor, is made of a piece of card slightly less wider than the stock and it has a much thicker square piece of card super-glued to it and this has a black Biro line drawn across it".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm less wide-eyed and less desperate for applause.

The New York Times

The area is less wide than a city sidewalk.

The New York Times

The ordinary usage of the term is clearly less wide.

Britannica

The H2 is shorter than the Lexus 470, and less wide than the Lincoln Navigator.

The New York Times

Others complain the prices are higher than at the chain stores, and the selection less wide.

The New York Times

While his smile was a little less wide, at least it was still on his face.

The Guardian - Sport

What if the sole were just a millimeter less wide on those McNairy shoes?

The New York Times

The first is the gap, no less wide for being so familiar, on the core issues.

The Economist

The bill now heads for conference with the House, which passed a less wide-ranging measure last fall.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "less wider" in formal writing; opt for "less wide" or a synonym like "narrower" for correct grammar.

Common error

The phrase "less wider" mistakenly combines two comparative forms. To correct this, use either "less wide" or the single-word comparative "narrower".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less wider" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, attempting to describe something as having a smaller width. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI states, the correct phrase is "less wide."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less wider" attempts to express a comparative degree of width, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "less wide" or alternatives like "narrower". Although found in some contexts, its use is infrequent and should be avoided in formal writing. It's important to consider the grammatical correctness and source authority when choosing phrases for effective communication. The limited usage and grammatical issues contribute to its low expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less wide

Corrects the grammatical error by removing the comparative suffix from "wider".

less broad

Substitutes "wide" with its synonym, "broad", while correcting the grammar.

narrower

Replaces the phrase with a single word that conveys the same meaning of reduced width.

not as wide

Expresses the concept using a different comparative structure.

not so wide

Expresses the lack of width using an alternative phrasing.

smaller in width

Specifies the dimension being compared, enhancing clarity.

reduced in width

Clearly states the characteristic and its diminution.

of reduced breadth

Uses a more formal synonym for "width".

comparatively less wide

Adds emphasis on the comparison itself.

to a lesser extent wide

Rephrases the comparative aspect emphasizing the degree of width.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "less wider"?

The grammatically correct alternative to "less wider" is "less wide".

Can I use "less wider" in a sentence?

While understandable, "less wider" is grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "less wide" or a synonym like "narrower".

What's the difference between "less wider" and "less wide"?

"Less wider" is a double comparative and considered incorrect. "Less wide" is the correct comparative form.

What are some alternatives to saying something is "less wide"?

You could use "narrower", "not as wide", or "smaller in width" as alternatives to "less wide".