more plastic than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more plastic than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the flexibility or artificiality of something to plastic, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Her emotions felt more plastic than genuine, lacking any real depth or authenticity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Oceans Will Contain More Plastic Than Fish By 2050.

Huffington Post

Is she any more plastic than anybody else?

The Guardian

He sees many more liquor bottles, and more plastic, than in the past.

The New York Times

By 2050, it is predicted, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea.

The Guardian

The National Academy of Sciences report sees the brain as more plastic than "hard wired".

The New York Times

That can mean as much as 112 times more plastic than plankton, the first link in the marine food chain.

The Economist

Their success proved, in the spirit of Oliver Sacks, that the brain is more plastic than the physicians had realized.

The New York Times - Books

"You put a net through it for half an hour and there's more plastic than marine life there," she said.

The Guardian

As a result of advances in neuropharmacology, psychologists discover that human personality is much more plastic than formerly believed.

The Guardian - Books

"Because plastic never goes away, at some point, the beaches will be more plastic than sand," Servan-Schreiber says.

The Guardian

"It's much more plastic than most people think," said Giulio Tononi, a psychiatrist at the University of Wisconsin.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "more plastic than" metaphorically, ensure the comparison is clear and the reader understands the intended quality being compared (e.g. artificiality, malleability).

Common error

Avoid using "more plastic than" as a lazy metaphor. Overuse can dilute its impact. Instead, consider other, more descriptive comparisons that better capture the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more plastic than" serves as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing possesses a greater quantity or a higher degree of a quality associated with plastic compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more plastic than" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate a greater quantity or degree of "plasticity" relative to something else. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage. While often employed literally to discuss plastic pollution, it is also used metaphorically to describe artificiality or malleability. It appears frequently in news and scientific contexts, demonstrating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and that the context supports the intended meaning. Avoid overuse to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more artificial than

Replaces "plastic" with a synonym emphasizing lack of naturalness.

more abundant than

Emphasizes prevalence and widespread presence.

greater in quantity than

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the comparison.

a greater quantity than

A more formal way of expressing a larger amount.

more prevalent than

Focuses on the higher frequency of occurrence.

exceeding the amount of

Highlights the act of surpassing a specific quantity.

surpassing in number

Highlights a numerical superiority.

outweighing in volume

Specific to physical mass and size comparison.

in greater proportion than

Highlights the relative ratio of one element compared to another.

more significant than

Shifts the comparison from quantity to relative importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "more plastic than" to compare the amount of plastic to something else, or metaphorically to describe something as artificial or easily molded. For example, "By 2050, there will be "more plastic than" fish in the sea" or "Her smile seemed "more plastic than" sincere".

What does it mean when someone says something is "more plastic than"?

It typically implies that something is artificial, fake, or easily manipulated, drawing a comparison to the properties of plastic. It can also refer to a physical quantity comparison.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "more plastic than"?

Consider alternatives like "more artificial than", "more synthetic than", or "greater in quantity than" depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is it correct to say there will be "more plastic than" fish in the ocean?

This is a projection based on current pollution trends and scientific reports, suggesting that the weight of plastic in the ocean could surpass the weight of fish by a certain year. It's a statement used to highlight the severity of plastic pollution.