partially less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partially less than" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express a comparison that is not absolute, but it is better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "The new model is partially less than the previous version in terms of efficiency."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This figure is very similar to the 45% rate of people with bipolar disorder having had at least one lifetime anxiety disorder recently reported in a recent different meta-analysis, based on an only partially (less than half) overlapping set of studies (Pavlova et al., 2015).

EBioMedicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

Instead, the [Ru bpy 3]3+ oxidant was spontaneously reduced and partially degraded within less than an hour.

Chemistry - A European Journal

Small RNAs completely or partially matched by less than two mismatches to any registered miRNA in miRBase were considered putative bovine miRNA.

BMC Genomics

However, typical chlorotic and necrotic lesions with slight sporulation were observed on leaves of 'Président Roulin' (partially resistant), covering less than 15% of the leaf surface.

BMC Genomics

We classified drug intake according to the following principles: within each six-month period of follow-up, we added up the total number of dispensed ASA and categorized drug intake into three different groups; unexposed individuals (0 daily doses), partially exposed individuals (less than 1 daily dose) and fully exposed individuals (1 or more daily doses of either 75 or 160 mg).

BMC Cancer

Boat, generic term for small watercraft propelled by paddles, oars, sail, or motor, open or partially decked, and usually less than 45 feet (roughly 14 meters) in length, A vessel larger than this is customarily classed as a ship, although the word boat is often applied to certain working vessels—such as tugboats that may be of considerable size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The partially sterile plants produced less than 40 seeds per plant.

Rice

Our study has some obvious weaknesses with a relatively small number of cases, which is partially due to a less than optimal response rate in cases.

British Journal of Cancer

The low variability in this data set, reflected in the skewness towards high functional scores and low symptoms scores, may partially account for the less than ideal validity results.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

For the same load, braced and partially infilled frames deflected significantly less than that of the bare frames.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and precision, consider replacing "partially less than" with more direct alternatives like "slightly smaller than" or "somewhat below" to avoid redundancy and enhance readability.

Common error

Avoid using "partially less than" when a simpler comparative term like "slightly below" or "somewhat under" can convey the same meaning more concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partially less than" functions as a comparative qualifier, indicating that one thing is, to some extent, smaller or lower than another. Ludwig's examples show its use in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partially less than" is used to express that something is not entirely less than something else. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically acceptable, but can often be improved by using more concise alternatives, such as "slightly smaller than" or "somewhat below". While primarily found in scientific and news contexts, its redundancy can be a drawback. Therefore, writers should strive for more precise and direct language to enhance clarity and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially smaller than

Mirrors the original structure but replaces 'less' with 'smaller'.

somewhat smaller than

Emphasizes a slight difference in size or degree.

slightly smaller than

Indicates a marginal reduction.

partially below

Highlights that the value or amount is situated partly under another.

to some extent smaller than

Highlights that the difference is applied to some extent.

not quite as much as

Focuses on the incomplete attainment of a certain amount.

somewhat below

Highlights that the amount is slightly below expectations.

slightly under

Indicates a marginal deficiency.

partially inferior to

Suggests a partial deficiency or lower quality.

to a certain degree inferior to

Highlights that the difference is only partially true

FAQs

What does "partially less than" mean?

The phrase "partially less than" suggests that something is not fully or completely less than another, but rather only to some extent. It implies a degree of difference that is not absolute.

What can I say instead of "partially less than"?

You can use alternatives such as "slightly smaller than", "somewhat below", or "not quite as much as" depending on the context.

Is "partially less than" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "partially less than" can be considered redundant. Simpler phrases often convey the meaning more effectively.

When is it appropriate to use "partially less than"?

It might be used to emphasize that the difference is not absolute or complete, but in most cases, alternatives offer clearer and more concise communication. Using alternatives will help you to improve your text's readability.