more directly than

USAGE SUMMARY

"more directly than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a comparison between two actions or ideas and the second action or idea is more direct than the first. Example: I want to get my point across more directly than I did before.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is not much music that courts danger and madness more directly than Liszt's.

The New York Times - Arts

And what could convey the emotion more directly than calling your song I Want You?

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps, then, these images speak to her more directly than a portrait would have done?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More directly than anything else, this showed the political vein that Sanders has found.

The New Yorker

But Larkin spoke to me more directly than any of them.

The New Yorker

But few decisions affect us more directly than the ones we make about our money.

The New Yorker

Once people took to raising animals, wolves competed with them more directly than any other creature.

The Economist

But nowhere has the issue played out more directly than in Miram Shah, in northwestern Pakistan.

The New York Times

It is, like all paintings, but a little more directly than some, a picture of human striving.

The New York Times - Arts

Several of these focused on the moral failings of the Clinton administration more directly than Mr. Bush usually does.

The New York Times

A Catalyst study found that self-advocacy skills correlate to workplace status and pay more directly than merit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more directly than", consider if alternatives like "more immediately" or "more explicitly" might provide a more precise nuance to your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "more directly than" when the intended meaning is simply 'more than'. The phrase specifies a comparison of directness, not just quantity or degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more directly than" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a higher degree of directness in one action or quality compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used to clearly establish a comparative relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more directly than" serves as a comparative phrase to highlight a greater level of directness between two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and varied usage across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, make it versatile for various writing needs. It is essential to employ this phrase precisely, ensuring the comparison refers to directness and not simply a general degree. Alternatives such as "more explicitly than" or "more immediately than" may provide more suitable nuances depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more immediately than

Emphasizes a shorter time frame or less intermediary steps.

more explicitly than

Focuses on clarity and lack of ambiguity in the comparison.

more straightforwardly than

Highlights simplicity and ease of understanding in the comparison.

more plainly than

Stresses the lack of complexity or embellishment.

in a more direct way than

Rephrases the comparison using a slightly more verbose structure.

to a greater extent than

Indicates a higher degree or level of something.

more pointedly than

Suggests a sharper or more focused approach.

more unambiguously than

Highlights a lack of uncertainty or multiple interpretations.

more unequivocally than

Implies a stronger, more decisive statement or action.

more transparently than

Focuses on openness and visibility in the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "more directly than" in a sentence?

Use "more directly than" to compare the degree of directness between two subjects. For example, "This policy addresses the problem "more directly than" the previous one."

What is an alternative to saying "more directly than"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "more directly than" include "more explicitly than", "more immediately than", or "more straightforwardly than".

When is it appropriate to use "more directly than" instead of "more than"?

"More directly than" should be used when comparing the level of directness, not simply the amount or degree. "More than" is suitable for general comparisons of quantity or intensity.

Is "more directly then" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "more directly than". The word "than" is used for comparisons, while "then" refers to a time or sequence.