less worthy individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less worthy individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is perceived as having lower value or merit compared to others in a specific context. Example: "In the eyes of the committee, he was seen as a less worthy individual for the scholarship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Any less than glorious event in his life, after at least a refreshingly sinful youth, is blamed on some less worthy individual, a dull superior or jealous peer, whom the author is all too happy to name.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They include Shinya Yamanaka, who shared last year's Nobel prize for his work on stem cells, Eric Lander, one of the leaders of the Human Genome Project, and Napoleone Ferrara, for work on blood-vessel formation (for which he received our own Innovation Award in December), as well as eight other less well-known, but no less worthy individuals.

The Economist

It is not that future low levels of well-being make an individual less worthy of moral consideration.

American Journal of Bioethics

Someone experiencing alcohol-related problems was viewed as less worthy of sympathy than someone experiencing other health problems.

BMC Public Health

Following criticism that individual sponsors swelled the ranks of prizes to include less worthy categories, this year's awards have Vodafone as sole sponsor.

The Guardian

Why is an investor less worthy of protection as a participant in a pension fund than as an individual?

The New York Times

Reading his ruling from the bench, Roberts went on: "The fact that technology now allows an individual to carry such information in his hand does not make the information any less worthy of the protection for which the founders fought.

The Guardian

With all they contain and all they may reveal, they hold for many Americans 'the privacies of life.' … The fact that technology now allows an individual to carry such information in his hand does not make the information any less worthy of the protection for which the Founders fought".

The New Yorker

"The fact that technology now allows an individual to carry such information in his hand does not make the information any less worthy of the protection for which the Founders fought," Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for the unanimous court.

TechCrunch

"The fact that technology now allows an individual to carry such information in his hand does not make the information any less worthy of the protection for which the Founders fought.

HuffPost

The heart of the argument is that by allowing certain (medical) practices, we are 'sending out a message', for instance that individuals with certain serious disabilities that health care choose to screen for are less worthy of protection.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less worthy individual", consider the potential for negative connotations and ensure the context clearly justifies the comparison. If you do not want to sound negative, use a more descriptive and neutral language.

Common error

Avoid using "less worthy individual" in contexts where it could be interpreted as discriminatory or demeaning. Use more neutral terms like "less experienced candidate" or "less qualified applicant" when describing professional or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less worthy individual" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that someone is considered to have less value or merit than others. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less worthy individual" is a grammatically sound descriptor used to express a comparative judgment about someone's value or merit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English, but caution is advised. The usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media outlets and scientific publications. The phrase carries a potentially judgmental tone, so alternatives like "less deserving person" or "less qualified individual" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Therefore, it's crucial to be mindful of the implications and potential sensitivities when using "less worthy individual".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less deserving person

Replaces 'worthy' with 'deserving', emphasizing a lack of merit for a reward or benefit.

inferior individual

Substitutes 'less worthy' with 'inferior', suggesting a lower status or quality.

less valuable person

Replaces 'worthy' with 'valuable', focusing on the perceived worth or importance of the individual.

less esteemed individual

Uses 'esteemed' instead of 'worthy', indicating a lack of respect or admiration.

less appreciated person

Emphasizes that the person is not valued as much as others.

less significant individual

Replaces 'worthy' with 'significant', suggesting a lower level of importance or influence.

less important person

Directly states that the person holds a lower degree of importance.

less privileged individual

Focuses on the person's lack of advantages or opportunities.

underestimated person

Suggests that the person's abilities or potential are not fully recognized.

disregarded individual

Implies that the person is ignored or overlooked.

FAQs

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

You can use "less worthy individual" to compare someone's perceived value or merit relative to others in a specific situation. For example, "In the eyes of the committee, he was seen as a "less worthy individual" for the scholarship because of his lack of experience."

What are some alternatives to "less worthy individual"?

Consider using alternatives like "less deserving person", "inferior individual", or "less valuable person" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "less worthy individual" or "less qualified individual"?

"Less qualified individual" is generally more appropriate in professional or academic contexts where specific skills or credentials are being evaluated. "Less worthy individual" carries a more subjective and potentially judgmental tone.

What is the difference between "less worthy individual" and "less fortunate individual"?

"Less worthy individual" implies a judgment about someone's merit or value, while "less fortunate individual" refers to someone who experiences hardship or lacks advantages due to circumstances beyond their control. The latter is generally more empathetic and less judgmental.