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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
over less than
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
Sentence The phrase "over less than" is grammatically correct, though it may be a bit awkward for written English in certain contexts.
You can use it to describe two situations where one has a greater quantity or quality than the other, such as "I earned more than my friend in less than half the amount of time."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
56 human-written examples
Only six teams in N.F.L. history have turned the ball over less than once a game.
News & Media
Over that time there were 92 dissolutions granted to people 60 or over, less than 3% of all dissolutions.
News & Media
Lewis, who took over less than two years ago, said she has been working aggressively to reform the organization.
News & Media
Cleaver, 46, was driving a Land Rover Freelander in Palatine Road, Northenden, when she was pulled over less than a mile from her home on March 29.
News & Media
When she took over, less than a year after being blown into New York by Dr. Ruth, the magazine was tens of millions of dollars in the red, with a circulation of about two hundred and fifty thousand.
News & Media
Manning – a medallist in the men's discipline in Sydney, Athens and Beijing – has put them firmly on track since taking over less than two years ago, and he described both their rides as "exceptional.
News & Media
Should mutual funds, and ETFs be turned over less than stocks?
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
4 human-written examples
The country became a giant menagerie where divinely appointed zookeepers presided over less-than-human others, who were to be locked in the prisons of their skin.
News & Media
Nonetheless, the consistency between isotope-balance and water-budget results indicates that this is a viable approach for lakes in similar settings, allowing the magnitude of groundwater inflow to be estimated over less-than-annual time periods.
Science
Earlier, I suggested one possible reply: perhaps the PSR itself provides a reason for favoring maximal series over less-than-maximal series.
Science
In January, the Federal Reserve and the OCC wrote JPMorgan a ticket over less-than-sterling compliance with anti-money laundering laws.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "over less than", ensure that the context clearly defines both the upper and lower boundaries being discussed. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the range being considered.
Common error
Avoid using "over less than" when you only need to express a single comparison. For example, don't say "The cost was over less than $100" when you simply mean "The cost was under $100."
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "over less than" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying nouns or clauses, indicating a range or duration. It specifies that something is more than a certain amount but still below a certain threshold. Ludwig AI confirms this as a grammatically correct phrase.
Frequent in
News & Media
38%
Science
31%
Academia
11%
Less common in
Formal & Business
6%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "over less than" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to define a range, indicating that a value is greater than a lower limit but remains below a certain maximum. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using "over less than", ensure clarity by defining both boundaries. For alternatives, consider phrases like "exceeding a smaller quantity". By using this guide, you'll be well-equipped to use the phrase "over less than" effectively.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
exceeding a smaller quantity
Rephrases the concept using "exceeding" to emphasize surpassing a low amount.
surpassing a minimal amount
Substitutes "over" with "surpassing" and "less than" with "minimal amount".
more than a reduced figure
Uses "more than" to replace "over" and "reduced figure" for "less than".
greater than a diminished value
Replaces "over" with "greater than" and uses "diminished value" instead of "less than".
beyond a lower threshold
Emphasizes exceeding a "lower threshold" rather than being "over less than".
above a meager amount
Indicates being "above" instead of "over" and uses "meager amount" for a small quantity.
in excess of a smaller total
Formal phrasing using "in excess of" and "smaller total".
surmounting a reduced quantity
Utilizes "surmounting" to imply exceeding and "reduced quantity" for "less than".
more than an insignificant number
Expresses the idea using "insignificant number" to denote a low quantity.
greater than a trifling sum
Replaces "less than" with the more emphatic "trifling sum".
FAQs
How can I use "over less than" in a sentence?
You can use "over less than" to describe a situation where a quantity or value is greater than a certain minimum but less than another value. For example, "The project was completed "over less than a year"." It highlights that project took more than zero time but less than one year.
What are some alternatives to using "over less than"?
Alternatives depend on the specific context. You might use phrases like "exceeding a smaller quantity" or "greater than a diminished value" to convey a similar meaning while varying your wording.
Is "over less than" grammatically correct?
Yes, the phrase "over less than" is grammatically correct. It's used to indicate a range where something exceeds a starting point but remains below a specified limit. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable.
In what kind of contexts is "over less than" commonly used?
The phrase "over less than" is commonly used in various contexts, including scientific reports, news articles, and general discussions. It's useful when you need to define a range or specify that something is more than a minimum but less than a maximum.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested