more prosaic than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more prosaic than" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to compare something that is more ordinary or mundane than another thing. For example: "The movie was more prosaic than I had expected, lacking any real excitement." Alternative expressions include "more mundane than" and "more ordinary than."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

As ever, the truth is more prosaic than election hype.

The Economist

The explanation is far more prosaic than this.

The Guardian - Opinion

His dilemma is somewhat more prosaic than ethnic divisions.

The New York Times - Sports

Her family life, in other words, seems far more prosaic than her fictional broods.

The New York Times

In addition, some causes of model variation are much more prosaic than the causes considered by cognitive diagnostic models.

Handbook of Statistics

The answer may be more prosaic than some Pleistocene temporality particular to female bodies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Alaskans, of course, have more prosaic problems than melting glaciers and crashing fighter jets.

The Washington Post

The moment that had preoccupied their fantasies for years began in a more prosaic fashion than they had anticipated.

The New York Times

Immanol Harinordoquy, a threat throughout, took the line-out that came from the resultant penalty, and Olivier Magne was driven over for a far more prosaic try than their form warranted.

The Guardian - Sport

Actor Sally Ann Howes chose garlic as the first luxury, a more prosaic choice than many that would follow: a blow-up doll (Oliver Reed, Michael Palinn, stuffed (John Cleese), solar-powered vibrator (Cornelia Parker), mirror (Simon Cowell, Graham Norton), navel brush (Frank Muir), suicide pill (Peter Nichols, Stephen Fry, Lynn Barber), and happiness.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the men and women who agree to be on the show have more prosaic motives than just vanity or exhibitionism — fame brings publicity, and publicity is good for business, be it catering, event planning or real estate.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the more imaginative or 'high-flown' concept after 'than' to maximize the rhetorical impact of the reality check.

Common error

Do not use "more prosaic than" as a generic synonym for 'worse than'. While prosaic means ordinary or dull, it often refers to the truth being simple and functional rather than a critique of the object's worth. Avoid this when you actually mean something is inferior in performance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more prosaic than" serves as a comparative adjective phrase that contrasts two noun phrases. According to Ludwig AI, it typically follows a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems' to evaluate the nature of an explanation, truth, or reality. It functions as a bridge between a perceived or fictionalized expectation and a grounded, everyday fact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Travel & Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more prosaic than" is a sophisticated linguistic tool for grounding narratives in reality. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is most frequently used to contrast a 'high-flown' or 'poetic' idea with a factual, everyday truth. Whether in The New York Times or The Economist, it signals to the reader that the following information will be more practical and less sensational than what might have been expected. It is grammatically standard and highly effective in professional, journalistic, and academic writing when a writer needs to provide a sober reality check. By choosing "more prosaic than" over simpler alternatives like more ordinary than, a writer demonstrates a command of nuanced vocabulary while maintaining an objective and analytical tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more mundane than

Suggests a sense of boredom or lack of excitement compared to being merely factual.

more ordinary than

Uses simpler vocabulary to describe something that lacks special features.

less extraordinary than

Uses a negative comparative to emphasize the absence of remarkable qualities.

more matter-of-fact than

Focuses specifically on the dry and factual delivery of information.

less poetic than

Directly contrasts the subject with artistic or lyrical qualities.

more functional than

Shifts the focus toward utility rather than aesthetic or poetic value.

more routine than

Suggests that the subject is part of a standard or repetitive process.

more straightforward than

Emphasizes the lack of complexity or hidden meaning.

more humble than

Adds a connotation of modesty to the comparison of reality versus expectation.

more common than

Focuses on the prevalence or frequency of the subject rather than its style.

FAQs

What does the phrase "more prosaic than" mean in a sentence?

It is used to indicate that the reality of a situation is more ordinary, factual, or mundane than the myths, rumors, or poetic descriptions surrounding it.

Is it better to use "more prosaic than" or "more mundane than"?

Use "more prosaic than" in formal or analytical writing to describe a lack of imagination or poetic flair. Use "more mundane than" when you want to emphasize that something is boring or repetitive.

Can I use "more ordinary than" in professional contexts?

Yes, "more ordinary than" is perfectly acceptable, though it lacks the specific literary contrast that "more prosaic than" provides.

What is a more formal way to say "less exciting than"?

You can use "more prosaic than" or "less compelling than" to maintain a professional and academic tone.