ostensibly less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that appears to be lesser in some way, often in a context where the appearance may not reflect the reality. Example: "The new model is ostensibly less efficient than the previous one, but in practice, it performs better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

(In 2014, Obama replaced Secure Communities with a similar but ostensibly less sweeping program).

The New Yorker

The by-products of thousands of smaller, ostensibly less wasteful reactors would soon add up.

The Guardian

Jacobs, who grew up a wrestling fan, said he was excited about the appearance although his tense post-game interaction with Jets Coach Rex Ryan in December was ostensibly less contrived.

The New York Times

In the same way that the songs from "Sky Blue Sky" sounded more barbed in concert, material from the ostensibly less conventional albums "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and "A Ghost Is Born" came across as radiant and forthright.

The New York Times - Arts

But officials from other United Nations agencies with experience in Syria outlined in recent interviews the sometimes insuperable obstacles they faced in carrying out the ostensibly less controversial task of delivering food, medical supplies and other relief services to needy Syrians across the country.

The New York Times

The defenders of affirmative action tried more complicated replies, but their attempts to justify affirmative action as reparation came to an end when the Supreme Court offered a far easier and ostensibly less divisive way to justify affirmative action.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But their pitch swayed other ostensibly much less vulnerable marks.

The Guardian - Money

Now that Microsoft has resumed its amorous pursuit of Yahoo — ostensibly seeking less than a full takeover deal this time — it could be a good time to review some of the steps taken in the contest and our thinking throughout: 1.

The New York Times

When you view your inbox, you can choose to view messages from just your "connections", letting you filter out all of the email that ostensibly means less to you.

TechCrunch

He had the air of an aging hippy, ostensibly drawn less to killing than peace and love.

Vice

That is because short telomere length in somatic tissues ostensibly reflects less somatic cell reserves, expressed in diminished ability of stem cells, including HSCs, to maintain tissue repair.

Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ostensibly less", ensure the context clearly indicates that the apparent reduction may not be entirely accurate or may hide underlying complexities. It's best used to introduce a contrast or reveal a hidden reality.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensibly less" in situations where a straightforward comparison is intended. The phrase implies a nuance or hidden factor, so if the comparison is direct and without complexity, a simpler term like "apparently smaller" or "simply less" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly less" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies an adjective or noun. It indicates that something appears to be to a lesser degree, but with an implication that this appearance might be deceptive or incomplete. As Ludwig's AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ostensibly less" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that introduces an element of doubt or nuance regarding a perceived reduction. While Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness, its somewhat formal tone and relatively uncommon usage suggest it's best reserved for contexts where a straightforward comparison doesn't suffice. It is mostly found in News and Media and Scientific domains. Consider alternatives like "seemingly less" or "apparently smaller" if a less formal tone is desired or when making direct comparison without any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly diminished

Replaces "less" with "diminished", focusing on a reduction in importance or impact.

seemingly lesser

Replaces "ostensibly" with "seemingly", indicating an appearance that may or may not be accurate, and "less" with "lesser", emphasizing a smaller degree.

supposedly lower

Employs "supposedly" to suggest a claim or assumption, and "lower" indicates a downward shift in value or amount.

apparently smaller

Substitutes "ostensibly" with "apparently", focusing on how things appear, and "less" with "smaller", explicitly referring to size or amount.

purportedly decreased

Replaces "ostensibly" with "purportedly", indicating a claim that may not be true and "less" with "decreased" showing reduction.

on the surface, smaller

Introduces "on the surface", highlighting a superficial observation, and "smaller" directly indicates a reduction in size or quantity.

superficially reduced

Uses "superficially" to emphasize the lack of depth or true nature and "reduced" suggests a decrease in quantity or intensity.

apparently not as much

Uses "apparently" for perceived reality and shifts the construction to "not as much" to imply a difference in quantity or degree.

ostensibly a reduced amount

Adds specificity by stating "a reduced amount", clarifying the area of apparent reduction.

ostensibly not as significant

Emphasizes a perceived lack of importance by using "not as significant" instead of a direct comparison of quantity.

FAQs

What does "ostensibly less" mean?

The phrase "ostensibly less" means that something appears to be reduced or diminished, but this appearance may not reflect the complete or true reality. It implies a degree of doubt or skepticism about the perceived reduction.

How can I use "ostensibly less" in a sentence?

You can use "ostensibly less" to introduce a contrast or reveal a hidden reality. For example, "The new policy is ostensibly less restrictive, but in practice, it creates more obstacles."

What can I say instead of "ostensibly less"?

You can use alternatives like "seemingly less", "apparently smaller", or "supposedly lower" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "ostensibly less"?

Yes, avoid using "ostensibly less" when making direct comparisons without any underlying complexity or nuance. In those cases, simpler phrases like "simply less" or "evidently smaller" might be more appropriate and "apparently not as much" may be more fitting.