scarcely less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely less" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something being nearly the same, but not quite. For example, "The children's level of enthusiasm for the new activity was scarcely less than for the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The hiring company is scarcely less comfortable.

The Economist

More mainstream figures were scarcely less strident.

The New Yorker

Ms. Martin was scarcely less satisfying.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Nichols's story is scarcely less dramatic.

The New York Times

Scarcely less fine are the sculptures of Menkaure (Mycerinus).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Leagues in bigger countries are scarcely less open.

The Economist

I expect scarcely less sensitivity from the Frick.

The New Yorker

The British founders of political economy were scarcely less glum.

The New York Times

His impact on the state was scarcely less dramatic.

The Economist

It's scarcely less dirty, in places, than the events themselves.

Independent

At home the war effort was scarcely less impressive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarcely less", ensure the comparison is clear and the context provides a basis for understanding the degree of similarity.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely less" when the difference between the items being compared is substantial; otherwise, the phrase will undermine your credibility and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely less" functions as a degree modifier, indicating that something is only slightly less than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing many examples where it serves to diminish a distinction between comparable items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcely less" is a degree modifier used to indicate that something is only slightly less than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and the arts. It is grammatically sound and serves to emphasize the similarity between two things while acknowledging a small difference. To avoid confusion, be sure to use it only when the disparity between the items being compared is genuinely minimal. Remember that alternatives such as "hardly less" or "barely less" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly less

Indicates a very slight difference, similar to "scarcely less".

barely less

Implies the difference is minimal and almost negligible.

only slightly less

Explicitly states that the degree of difference is small.

just a little less

Informal way of saying the difference is small.

not significantly less

Highlights that the disparity is not important or meaningful.

almost as

Focuses on the similarity rather than the slight difference.

virtually the same

Emphasizes the near equality, implying any difference is minor.

practically identical

Suggests the items are so alike that any distinction is insignificant.

nearly equivalent

Indicates the items are functionally the same despite any small differences.

comparable to

Highlights the similarity and suggests the items can be compared without major distinctions.

FAQs

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

Use "scarcely less" to indicate that something is only slightly smaller, weaker, or less significant than something else. For example, "His contribution was "scarcely less" important than hers".

What are some alternatives to "scarcely less"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly less", "barely less", or "only slightly less" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "scarcely less" and "slightly less"?

"Scarcely less" emphasizes the similarity and smallness of the difference, while "slightly less" simply acknowledges that there is a small difference, without necessarily implying a strong similarity.

When is it appropriate to use "scarcely less"?

It is appropriate to use "scarcely less" when you want to downplay a difference and highlight the comparable nature of two things. It's useful when you want to suggest that the distinction is minimal or almost negligible.