nearly less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly less than" is not correct and is not usable in written English.
It is a contradictory expression, as "nearly" implies closeness to a certain value, while "less than" indicates a value that is lower. Example: "The temperature is nearly less than freezing, but it hasn't quite reached that point yet."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although the diastolic pressure of the femoral artery presented nearly less than 30 mmHg despite the use of adequate dose of inotropic agents, there was no evidence of neo-aortic insufficiency, which is one of the most common reasons for an unstable hemodynamic state.

Surgical Case Reports

Recording sessions had taken nearly less than a week to complete the song.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Over all, households owe about $13.2 trillion, nearly $600 billion less than in late 2008.

The New York Times

The fifth council member makes about $8,000, nearly 90% less than his colleagues.

Los Angeles Times

Actual spending was nearly 40percentt less than that.

The New York Times

Her bid, for $325,000, came in nearly $100,000 less than the house's previous value.

The New York Times

They earn just over £20,000 on average – nearly £8,000 less than their male counterparts.

The Guardian

That was 6percentt, or nearly $1 million, less than the asking price of $15.8 million last spring.

The New York Times

The median family income was $15,750, nearly $27,000 less than the national median.

The New York Times

Overall, executives who suffer from the effect are paid nearly 4% less than their peers.

Harvard Business Review

Consider this: Did anyone think that Pierce would net nearly $2 million less than Avery Bradley this season?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "nearly less than" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "almost less than" or "slightly below" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming that "nearly less than" is acceptable because both words suggest approximation. However, "nearly" modifies a specific value, while "less than" establishes a relationship. To prevent this, use phrases that correctly combine approximation with comparison, such as "almost below" or "just under".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly less than" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase modifying a comparative statement, indicating an approximate difference between two quantities. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically flawed and thus ineffective in conveying this meaning accurately.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

Wiki

50%

News & Media

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "nearly less than" aims to express an approximate comparison, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the combination of "nearly" and "less than" creates a contradictory expression. The examples provided by Ludwig show limited usage across diverse sources such as Science and Wiki, however the overall frequency is very low. For clearer and more precise communication, it’s advisable to use alternatives like "almost less than", "slightly below", or "just under" depending on the specific context. This ensures your writing remains credible and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost less than

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", maintaining the approximation before the comparison.

approximately less than

Replaces "nearly" with "approximately", making explicit a degree of uncertainty.

just under

Uses a more concise phrase to indicate a value slightly below a certain point.

slightly below

Emphasizes that the value is a bit lower than the reference point.

close to but less than

Explicitly states the proximity and the direction of the difference.

not quite as much as

Indicates a smaller quantity compared to another, with an element of approximation.

in the neighborhood of less than

Implies an approximate quantity when comparing to an upper threshold.

virtually less than

Indicates that something is for all practical purposes less than a certain threshold.

hardly more than

Uses a double negative to imply something is only marginally less, with a shift in emphasis.

not far from being less than

Expresses proximity to being less than, but in a more verbose manner.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "nearly less than"?

No, the phrase "nearly less than" is grammatically incorrect. The word "nearly" implies approximation to a value, whereas "less than" indicates a directional relationship. It's best to use alternatives like "almost less than" or "just under".

What are some alternatives to "nearly less than"?

Instead of "nearly less than", you can use phrases like "slightly below", "almost less than", or "just under" depending on the context. These alternatives are clearer and grammatically sound.

How can I use the idea of "almost but not quite" in a comparison?

To express something is "almost but not quite" in a comparison, use phrases such as "not quite as much as" or "close to but less than". For example: "The budget was "not quite as much as" last year's."

Which is more appropriate: "nearly less than" or "approximately less than"?

"Approximately less than" is more appropriate because it clearly indicates an estimated quantity is smaller than another, while "nearly less than" is considered grammatically incorrect. Consider alternatives like "roughly less than" too.