less worthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less worthy" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that something has a lower value than something else, either in terms of social or economic status, or in terms of worthiness or quality. For example, you could say "The older man appeared less worthy of the job than the younger applicant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They feel less worthy as adults.

The New York Times

Is Mr. Sahhaf any less worthy?

The New York Times

They're not less worthy a competitor without him.

The New York Times - Sports

If those partnerships are deemed less worthy and honorable than heterosexual ones, then we're being deemed less worthy and honorable than heterosexuals.

The New York Times

Certainly none of the less worthy things; and the Best he carries always within him.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Most cities think of traffic deaths as somehow less worthy of investigation, he said.

The New York Times

Banning gay people from using the word "marriage" suggests they are less worthy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Have all martyrs then, died for causes less worthy than their own continued existence?

The New Yorker

Affirmative action doesn't give less worthy students an advantage over more worthy ones.

The Washington Post

But redemption is a less worthy goal than protecting Libya's experiment with democracy.

The New York Times

No less worthy of mention is an encyclopaedia titled Taiping yulan.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less worthy", ensure the comparison is clear and the context provides a basis for evaluating worth. For example, specify what makes one thing "less worthy" than another.

Common error

Avoid using "less worthy" without a clear reference point for comparison. Saying something is "less worthy" without specifying what it's being compared to can make the statement vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less worthy" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something that possesses a reduced degree of merit, value, or importance in comparison to another entity or concept. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less worthy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that expresses a comparative judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It indicates that something possesses a reduced degree of merit, value, or importance in comparison to something else. While it appears in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing, its register remains relatively neutral. When employing "less worthy", clarity is key: ensure that the comparison is explicit to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "less deserving" or "inferior" may be suitable depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less deserving

Emphasizes the fairness or merit-based aspect of worthiness.

of diminished merit

Focuses on a reduction in positive qualities or achievements.

of lesser value

Focuses on the monetary or material aspect of worth.

less significant

Emphasizes the reduced impact or consequence.

inferior in value

Highlights the comparative difference in importance or quality.

not as important

Directly addresses the significance or relevance.

not as good

A simpler, more general way to express lower quality.

of reduced standing

Suggests a decline in reputation or position.

lower in status

Implies a hierarchical difference in social standing or rank.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating a failure to meet expectations or standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "less worthy" to compare the value, importance, or merit of two or more things. For example, "Some may consider manual labor "less worthy" than intellectual pursuits", or "He felt "less worthy" after the criticism".

What are some alternatives to "less worthy"?

Alternatives to "less worthy" include "less deserving", "of lesser value", "less important", or "inferior", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less worthy"?

Yes, "less worthy" is grammatically correct. "Less" is used to compare uncountable nouns and adjectives, and "worthy" is an adjective, making the phrase grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "less worthy" and "unworthy"?

"Less worthy" implies a comparison, indicating that something has lower value or merit than something else. "Unworthy", on the other hand, means completely lacking worth or merit. For instance, you might say someone is ""less worthy" of praise" compared to someone else, but "unworthy of trust" if they've broken your trust completely.