more imperfect than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more imperfect than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the degree of imperfection between two or more subjects. Example: "This design is more imperfect than the previous version, which had fewer flaws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(Some are more imperfect than others).

The New York Times

But the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's card dispensers and readers sometimes seem more imperfect than others.

The New York Times

All analogies are imperfect, and this one may be more imperfect than most.

The New York Times

"Filters are more imperfect than people are willing to admit, and that creates a false sense of security," said Stephanie Sarnoff, director of the Scarsdale Library.

The New York Times

"I believe their gene finding methods are far more imperfect than they own up to," Dr. Haseltine said, noting that 5 of the 10 genes in the AIDS virus were missed at first.

The New York Times - Science

But the electoral college is no more imperfect than other systems; and it did not cause the current imbroglio.The blame for that lies with two things that are actually easier to fix.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

miBLAST uses the BLASTN module of BLAST to compute alignments, which means that it takes longer and finds more imperfect local alignments than MegaBLAST.

Bioinformatics

Put simply, there are more imperfect rhyme combinations in the English language than there are perfect rhyme combinations – so writing in imperfect rhyme will give you more options.

The Guardian

Marinella reports that Aristotle says that women are "Less hot than men and therefore more imperfect and less noble," (130).

SEP

By that I mean that I would be able to feel better than someone else -- someone more flawed, more imperfect, more "complex".

Huffington Post

The more imperfect our judgement, the less perfect our success.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more imperfect than", ensure that the comparison is clear and that both subjects being compared are explicitly stated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "more imperfect than" when "more flawed than" or "less perfect than" is more concise and clear. "Imperfect" already implies a lack of perfection, so adding "more" can be redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more imperfect than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to directly compare the degree of imperfection between two subjects, highlighting that one subject possesses a greater level of flaws or deficiencies compared to the other. As shown by Ludwig, the structure of the phrase allows for clear comparisons in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more imperfect than" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate a greater degree of imperfection between two subjects. While it is often used in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse settings. According to Ludwig, it's acceptable and can be readily understood. Consider alternatives such as "less perfect than" or "more flawed than" for conciseness and clarity. Ensure that both subjects of the comparison are clear to avoid ambiguity. While grammatically correct, mindful usage is recommended, ensuring a balance between emphasis and redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less perfect than

Reverses the phrasing to focus on the lack of perfection rather than the degree of imperfection.

more flawed than

Substitutes "imperfect" with "flawed", emphasizing the presence of faults or defects.

more deficient than

Replaces "imperfect" with "deficient", stressing a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

more inadequate than

Uses "inadequate" instead of "imperfect", highlighting insufficiency or unsuitability.

more incomplete than

Emphasizes the state of being unfinished or lacking essential parts.

more substandard than

Highlights that something fails to meet the required or expected level.

more wanting than

Focuses on the aspect of lacking or being deficient in something.

not as refined as

Shifts the focus to a lack of refinement or polish.

further from ideal than

Explicitly compares the distance from a perfect or ideal state.

more unsound than

Highlights a lack of soundness or reliability.

FAQs

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

Use "more imperfect than" to compare two things, indicating one has greater imperfections. For example: "This draft is "more imperfect than" the previous one".

What are some alternatives to saying "more imperfect than"?

You can use phrases like "less perfect than", "more flawed than", or "more deficient than" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more imperfect than"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It functions as a comparative, showing that one thing has a greater degree of imperfection than another.

When is it best to use "more imperfect than" instead of "less perfect than"?

Use "more imperfect than" when you want to emphasize the presence and degree of flaws. Use "less perfect than" when you want to emphasize the absence of perfection.