more unstable than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more unstable than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare one thing to another, such as in the sentence "The stock market is more unstable than the bond market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country looks more unstable than ever (see article).

The Economist

It is true that the domestic front seemed to be more unstable than the global situation.

The Guardian

Albee's reputation has been more unstable than that of perhaps any other playwright of his stature.

The New Yorker

The last few seasons, the ice has been more unstable than elders in the village have ever seen.

The Guardian - Travel

His return to Mogadishu, he says, could hardly make the place more unstable than it already is.

The Economist

A decade ago, people say, when the dump was more unstable than it is today, several ragpickers were buried alive.

The Economist

As a result, he said, "The Sino-Indian border remains more unstable than the Pakistani-Indian frontier".

The New York Times

He insists behaviour is as bad as ever, supervision as lax and, with increasingly high-frequency trading, the market even more unstable than it was in 2007-8.

The Guardian

But when filled with passengers, or driven above 50 miles an hour, the vehicles become substantially more unstable than S.U.V.'s or pickup trucks.

The New York Times

Greeks will go to the polls with their economy in tatters, capital controls in force, their international reputation shattered, their political system more unstable than ever before.

The Guardian

The relationship lasted for more than three years, with much mutual love and admiration, yet it was more unstable than any I had known.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more unstable than", ensure you clearly define what is being compared and the specific context of instability. For example, "The political climate is more unstable than it was a decade ago" provides clarity and context.

Common error

Don't use "more unstable than" without specifying the basis for comparison. Saying "This project is more unstable than expected" is less effective than "This project's timeline is more unstable than expected due to resource constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more unstable than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing possesses a higher degree of instability when compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

45%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more unstable than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase to express a higher degree of instability between two subjects. As Ludwig AI points out, it's correct and usable in a wide range of writing. The phrase is prevalent in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers. It's important to provide a clear basis for comparison to avoid vague statements. By understanding its function and common usage, writers can effectively use "more unstable than" to convey nuanced assessments of relative stability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more precarious than

Emphasizes a higher degree of risk or insecurity compared to the original phrase.

more volatile than

Focuses on the rapid and unpredictable changes, adding a sense of potential danger.

less reliable than

Highlights a lack of dependability or trustworthiness as opposed to a lack of stability.

more hazardous than

Shifts the focus to potential dangers or risks associated with the instability.

more fragile than

Stresses the susceptibility to damage or collapse.

more chaotic than

Highlights the disordered and unpredictable nature of the compared subject.

riskier than

This alternative is more concise but has similar meaning. It focus on danger.

less secure than

Highlights the deficiency of security as opposed to a deficiency of stability.

in a more precarious state than

This alternative is more verbose but has similar meaning. It focus on danger.

subject to greater fluctuation than

Emphasizes the increased degree of variation and changeability, focusing on the dynamic aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "more unstable than" to compare the relative stability of two entities. For instance, "The cryptocurrency market is "more unstable than" the traditional stock market".

What's a good alternative to "more unstable than"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "more precarious than", "more volatile than", or "less reliable than".

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows the standard comparative structure in English, using "more" to form the comparative degree of the adjective "unstable".

What is the difference between "more unstable than" and "more uncertain than"?

"More unstable than" implies a tendency to change or collapse, while "more uncertain than" suggests a lack of predictability or sureness. Instability relates to a lack of equilibrium; uncertainty to a lack of knowledge.