rather less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a degree of something that is somewhat lower than another reference point. Example: "The project was rather less than successful, falling short of our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some agencies, however, do wonders on rather less than that.

The Guardian

But the Bush-Obama-Cheney nexus means rather less than it may seem.

The New York Times

But he will earn rather less than the £671,000 picked up by Thompson.

The Guardian

According to sociological research, this seems to have happened rather less than expected.

The Guardian - Film

On closer inspection, Conservative sources were actually promising something rather less than immediate abolition.

The Guardian

Or rather: "less than 5 percent are decent, and less than 1 percent are really good".

The New York Times - Magazine

My feeling is that it means rather less than Ms Allen argues.

The Economist

He got together ten million dollars, of which rather less than two hundred thousand was his own.

The New Yorker

In his view of things, this entails feeling rather less than we felt when we actually read the poem.

The New Yorker

"The strategic significance of Gibraltar to Britain is rather less than that of Rockall," he writes in the Guardian.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Back in April I wrote "Chopin List", a piece that examined the composer's music in vivid interpretations by Vassily Primakov, Marc-André Hamelin, and Nadia Reisenberg (as well as a rather less-than-vivid Lang Lang).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather less than" to soften a comparison, especially when the difference isn't drastically significant, thus avoiding exaggeration.

Common error

While acceptable, relying heavily on "rather less than" in formal writing can make your tone sound hesitant. Opt for stronger, more direct comparisons when precision and confidence are key, such as "significantly lower" or "considerably less".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather less than" functions as a comparative qualifier, modifying a noun or adjective to indicate a degree that is somewhat lower than a specified reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples show its use in contexts involving quantities, qualities, and expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather less than" is a versatile phrase functioning as a comparative qualifier, frequently used to express a moderate degree of difference. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across numerous contexts, particularly in news and media. While acceptable in formal writing, more direct alternatives may be preferable for emphasizing precision. When communicating you should use "rather less than" to soften comparisons and prevent from exaggeration. It's important to avoid overusing this phrase in formal contexts, where alternatives may result in a better tone. The phrase enjoys broad usage and acceptance, securing a high expert rating due to its grammatical correctness, frequent use in authoritative sources, and consistent application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appreciably less than

Indicates that the difference is noticeable or significant.

considerably smaller than

Highlights that the difference is large and worth noting.

somewhat smaller than

Replaces "rather less" with "somewhat smaller", focusing on size or quantity.

markedly below

Emphasizes a clear and distinct difference below a certain level.

marginally lower than

Suggests the difference is very small and potentially insignificant.

noticeably less than

Similar to "appreciably less than", suggesting the difference is easy to observe.

slightly below

Indicates a position just under a certain level.

not quite as much as

Emphasizes that the quantity falls short of an expected or known amount.

a bit under

More informal; suggests a small difference below a certain amount.

a little under

Similar to "a bit under" but potentially slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "rather less than" in a sentence?

You can use "rather less than" to compare two quantities or qualities, indicating that one is somewhat smaller or lower than the other. For example: "The budget was "rather less than" we had anticipated".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "rather less than"?

Similar phrases include "somewhat smaller than", "slightly below", or "a bit under", each conveying a slight difference in quantity or degree.

Is it appropriate to use "rather less than" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather less than" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although it can sometimes sound hesitant. Consider using more direct alternatives like "significantly lower than" or "considerably smaller than" when precision is important.

What is the difference between "rather less than" and "even less than"?

"Rather less than" indicates a moderate difference, while "even less than" suggests a more substantial or surprising difference. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of difference you wish to emphasize.