no less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize how large an amount or number is. For example, "He was awarded no less than 10 trophies for his performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was no less than he deserved.

The New Yorker

It was no less than Guerrero deserved.

The New York Times - Sports

No less than once every four years.

Harvard University

Measurement mesmerizes no less than management.

Harvard Business Review

It is no less than he deserves.

The Guardian - Sport

It's no less than the show deserves.

The Guardian

They are usually no less than six months in duration.

Cornell University

And, no less than Ponzi, Kreuger had also deceived himself.

The New Yorker

This applies to attitudes no less than to institutions.

Harvard Business Review

Start with asparagus no less than a quarter-inch thick.

The New York Times - Food

It's no less than these good people deserve.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no less than" to emphasize a surprising or significant quantity. For example, "The project required no less than three years of dedicated research."

Common error

Avoid using "no less than" with countable nouns; instead, use "no fewer than". For example, use "no fewer than 20 students" instead of "no less than 20 students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no less than" functions as a quantifier or intensifier, emphasizing the magnitude or significance of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Ludwig provides numerous examples that demonstrate its diverse applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no less than" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the magnitude or significance of a quantity or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely employed. While common across various registers, it's crucial to remember to use "no fewer than" when referring to countable nouns. Ludwig's extensive examples showcase its broad applicability, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. Using "no less than" effectively can add emphasis and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not less than

A more formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the minimum required amount or degree.

no fewer than

Specifically used for countable items, unlike "no less than" which can apply to both countable and uncountable nouns.

at least

Emphasizes the minimum quantity or degree, similar to "no less than" but with a focus on the lower bound.

at the very least

Similar to "at least" but adds extra emphasis on the minimum expectation.

as much as

Focuses on equivalence in quantity or quality, whereas "no less than" can also imply a lower bound.

nothing short of

Emphasizes the significant or remarkable nature of something, implying it meets a high standard.

to say the least

Understates the true extent or quality, often implying it is even greater than what is being said.

if anything

Suggests a possibility or condition where something is at least equal to something else.

just as

Highlights similarity or equality, whereas "no less than" focuses more on a minimum standard.

fully

Implies a complete or entire degree, suggesting equivalence in extent or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "no less than" in a sentence?

Use "no less than" to emphasize a significant amount or degree. For example, "The journey took "no less than" ten hours" emphasizes the length of the journey.

What's the difference between ""no less than"" and "no fewer than"?

"No less than" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "no less than effort"), while "no fewer than" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "no fewer than five attempts").

What can I say instead of "no less than"?

You can use alternatives like "at least", "not less than", or "as much as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "no less than" with plural nouns?

It's generally considered incorrect. Use "no fewer than" for countable plural nouns instead. For example, use "no fewer than 300 pages" instead of "no less than 300 pages".