much leaner than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much leaner than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the leanness or slimness of two subjects, typically in contexts related to health, fitness, or physical attributes. Example: "After months of training, she is now much leaner than she was last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's not entirely clear why new companies are starting out so much leaner than they used to.

The New York Times

He is much leaner than Moses, who has retired as a hurdler and as a bobsledder, which was his more recent endeavor.

The New York Times - Sports

The soldiers, mostly ground troops, are much leaner than Tom Cruise was in that 1986 film, though they grin just as righteously.

The New York Times

In Ireland, writers don't come much leaner than Roddy Doyle, who inherits the niggardly style of Samuel Beckett rather than the lavish manner of James Joyce.

The Guardian - Books

The lean limits for these pulverised agricultural waste biomasses were comparable to that of pulverised wood but were much leaner than those for coal and hydrocarbon fuels, which indicate that these biomasses are highly reactive.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Although it's not yet clear which app — if any — will be a breakout hit of the weekend, one thing is certain about this year's conference: It will be much leaner than previous years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

So far, Mr. Romney is running a much leaner campaign than he did four years ago.

The New York Times

Russia and China have argued for a much leaner list than the United States has wanted.

The New York Times

With the same hot zone location the CFRC yielded a preferable high thermal efficiency in a much leaner mixture than the OWFC.

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

With the focus on newsstand sales and a much leaner staff than the average Time Inc. magazine, All You represents a much more European approach to corralling readers.

The New York Times

But it was also a set of songs in particular, which were much leaner and stronger than those on "13".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing leanness, specify what attribute or aspect you are comparing. For instance, instead of just saying "much leaner than", clarify by stating "much leaner in terms of staffing costs" or "much leaner in muscle mass" to provide clearer context.

Common error

Avoid using "much leaner than" without providing a clear reference point or comparison group. For example, saying "the company is much leaner than before" is vague. Instead, specify "much leaner than it was before the restructuring" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much leaner than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something as having significantly less fat, bulk, or resources compared to something else. Ludwig shows its versatility across different domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much leaner than" is a versatile comparative phrase used to express a significant difference in leanness, whether referring to physical attributes, resource allocation, or organizational structure. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. To enhance clarity, always specify the aspect of leanness being compared. When communicating the intended meaning, consider alternatives such as "considerably thinner than" or "noticeably less bulky than" to precisely convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably thinner than

Emphasizes a significant difference in thinness.

significantly more slender than

Highlights the slenderness difference as notable.

noticeably less bulky than

Focuses on the reduction in bulk or size.

appreciably more streamlined than

Suggests an improved, more efficient form.

markedly less heavy than

Emphasizes a reduction in weight or density.

distinctly fitter than

Highlights an improved state of physical fitness.

substantially more athletic than

Focuses on increased athleticism.

visibly trimmer than

Indicates that the leanness is easily observed.

demonstrably more efficient than

Emphasizes a clearly evident improvement in efficiency.

measurably more economical than

Highlights a quantifiable improvement in economy or resource use.

FAQs

How can I use "much leaner than" in a sentence?

Use "much leaner than" to compare the degree of leanness between two subjects. For example, "The new model is "much leaner than" its predecessor", indicating a significant reduction in bulk or resources.

What's a good alternative to "much leaner than"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "considerably thinner than", "significantly more slender than", or "noticeably less bulky than".

Is it always appropriate to use "much leaner than"?

While grammatically correct, ensure the context aligns with the comparison. The phrase implies a notable difference in leanness, so avoid using it when the difference is marginal. It's appropriate when describing substantial reductions or improvements.

How does "much leaner than" compare to "slightly leaner than"?

"Much leaner than" indicates a significant difference, while "slightly leaner than" suggests a minor difference. Use "much leaner than" when the contrast is substantial and evident, and "slightly leaner than" when the variation is minimal and subtle.