less wise than

USAGE SUMMARY

"less wise than" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to make a comparison between two people or things, with the first being less intelligent or knowledgeable than the second. Example: "John is less wise than his older brother, who has years of experience in the business world." In this sentence, John is being compared to his brother, with the implication that his brother is wiser or more knowledgeable due to his experience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To be sure, experts aren't always less wise than crowds.

The New York Times

Most places forbid or regulate the sale of cigarettes to the young, and this is appropriate.If youths are less wise than their elders, however, that is true in every department of life, and it gives no reason to hound adults.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And I knew I was creating an elf that was very different from Galadriel and Arwen –- I was creating an elf who was not only a common elf, where they were royalty or high elves, I was also creating a Silvan elf, who in Tolkien's words were less wise and more dangerous than the elves you met in "Rings".

Huffington Post

Much investment in IT has been less profitable than had been thought, making companies' borrowing look even less wise.

The Economist

We import much less percentage-wise than we did 10 years ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

WHAT YOU'LL PAY Chris Thomas, an executive vice president and managing director at Brown Harris Stevens, said prices had remained relatively stable during the downturn, declining less, percentage-wise, than some Manhattan neighborhoods.

The New York Times

"I travel less business-wise than I used to now that I can video conference and use emails and telephone conferencing.

BBC

DENVER — Few elected officials would ever dare say, at least within earshot of a microphone, that voters making public policy decisions through ballot-box referendums are less capable or wise than legislators deliberating under a capitol dome.

The New York Times

Decisions based on cheap credit will look less than wise.Mr Greenspan, the Fed's chairman, now has less than one year left in his job.

The Economist

Conservative pundits realized that berating the American public for its ungodly values was less than wise in a time of such overwhelming common feeling.

The New York Times

I know it marks me as an elitist to suggest that American voters are less than wise or well-informed, but yesterday's results really do seem to me like a textbook case of shooting oneself in the foot.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less wise than", ensure that the comparison is clear and that both subjects of the comparison are explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less wise than" in contexts where the basis for comparison isn't evident. Always ensure the reader understands what or whom you are comparing for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less wise than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that one subject possesses a lower degree of wisdom compared to another. This comparative function is supported by Ludwig's examples, demonstrating its use in making direct comparisons between individuals or entities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less wise than" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate a deficiency in wisdom relative to another subject. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science, and its purpose is to express differences in judgement or insight. For clarity, ensure that the comparison is always well-defined. Alternatives include "not as wise as" or "lacking the wisdom of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as wise as

Uses "not as" structure instead of "less", maintaining the comparison to wisdom.

lacking the wisdom of

Emphasizes the absence of wisdom compared to another subject.

not quite as discerning as

Replaces "wise" with "discerning", focusing on the ability to judge well.

possessing less foresight than

Highlights a deficiency in foresight rather than overall wisdom.

not as astute as

Substitutes "wise" with "astute", referring to shrewdness and insight.

showing less sagacity than

Replaces "wisdom" with "sagacity", focusing on profound knowledge.

not as knowledgeable as

Shifts the focus from wisdom to general knowledge.

exhibiting inferior judgment to

Highlights poorer decision-making capabilities compared to someone else.

demonstrating reduced insight compared to

Focuses on a lack of insight rather than overall wisdom.

less informed than

Emphasizes a lack of information rather than wisdom.

FAQs

How can I use "less wise than" in a sentence?

You can use "less wise than" to compare two entities, indicating one has inferior wisdom compared to the other. For example, "In his youth, he was "less wise than" he is now."

What's a more formal alternative to "less wise than"?

Alternatives to "less wise than" include phrases like "lacking the wisdom of" or "exhibiting inferior judgment to" which are suitable for more formal contexts.

How does "less wise than" differ from "unwise"?

"Unwise" describes a single action or decision, whereas "less wise than" compares the general wisdom or judgment of two subjects. One is about an action, the other is about a general comparison of wisdom.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less wise than"?

Yes, "less wise than" is grammatically correct. It uses "less" to form a comparative adjective, contrasting the degree of wisdom between two subjects, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.