neither less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither less" is not commonly used in written English.
It may be a grammatically correct phrase, but there are more commonly used alternatives, such as "nonetheless" or "nevertheless." Example: "I forgot my homework, but neither less, my teacher still gave me a good grade for the assignment."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

America is neither less safe because of immigration nor is it worse off economically.

The New York Times

Still, neither less education nor worse protection are issues the G.O.P. wants to run on.

The New York Times

Finally, Meyer and Brysac describe the modern successors to these interventionist Britons: interventionist Americans, whose eccentricities and failures have been neither less colorful nor less evident.

The New York Times - Books

Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, had no warning; neither, less surprisingly, did Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and an early strong contender for the 2012 Republican nomination.

The New York Times

Indeed, the Fed increasingly seems locked into its current plan — neither less nor more — in part because the economic recovery remains tentative and in part because of a stalemate between advocates of less and more.

The New York Times

The American economy is surely in better shape today, but the fringe ideas (even from prominent commentators) for how to address growing federal debt are neither less numerous nor less dangerous.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

More choice is not always better, she suggests, but neither is less.

The New York Times - Books

The divide between "celebrities" and "journalists" is awkard for me because I'm neither, but less neither than a greengrocer is, if you see what I mean.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neither did "Less Than Perfect," which starred a larger-than-usual actress, Sara Rue, and a venti-size sidekick, Sherri Shepherd.

The New York Times - Arts

Some are oddly specific: for example, annual leave can only be taken in one or two chunks, neither of less than ten days.

The Economist

Neither is less valuable and both are worthy of our time and thoughtfulness, just not all of it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider more common alternatives like "no less" or rephrasing for clarity. Using simpler terms may enhance readability, especially in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "neither less" in overly complex sentences where a simpler construction would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither less" primarily functions as a conjunctional phrase, often used to indicate that something is not of a lower degree or importance than something else. This can be observed in various Ludwig examples where it connects two similar qualities or states. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither less" functions as a conjunctional phrase used to express that something is not diminished in comparison to something else. While grammatically acceptable, according to Ludwig AI, it's not the most common choice. It appears mainly in neutral to formal contexts, such as news and science sources, and conveys a sense of equivalence or similarity. For improved clarity and readability, simpler alternatives such as "no less" or rephrasing may be preferable. The linguistic analysis indicates that, while the phrase is valid, writers should be mindful of the potential for overcomplication and explore more common, direct alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no less

Emphasizes equality or similarity; carries a slightly stronger affirmation than "neither less".

not any less

Highlights a lack of reduction or diminishment; often used for emphasis.

equally

Focuses on equivalence, removing the negative aspect of "neither less".

just as

Implies similarity or equivalence in degree or manner; a more direct alternative.

to the same extent

Formally expresses equality in scope or degree; more verbose.

not diminished

Highlights the absence of reduction in quality or quantity.

undiminished

Similar to "not diminished" but more concise and forceful.

unaffected

Emphasizes a lack of impact or change.

remains the same

Focuses on the continuation of a state without change.

still as

Expresses similarity in the current state compared to a previous one.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence using "neither less" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives like "no less", "equally", or restructuring the sentence to directly compare the elements without using a negative construction. For example, instead of "It is neither less important", try "It is equally important".

What is a situation where "neither less" might be appropriate?

"Neither less" can be suitable in formal or academic writing where a precise and balanced comparison is needed. However, assess if a more common expression enhances understanding. It is important "equally" applicable in formal contexts where precision is required.

Which is more common, "neither less" or "no less"?

"No less" is significantly more common and often preferred for its directness and clarity. "Neither less" can sound somewhat awkward or archaic in many contexts. Consider using "no less" for better readability.

Are there specific contexts where "neither less" is preferred over other options?

While rare, "neither less" may be intentionally used for stylistic effect or to create a specific tone in formal writing, such as emphasizing a lack of difference between two negative conditions. But the most precise use is with "no less" or "equally".