scarcely less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost as much as something else, often in a comparative context. Example: "The effort required for this project is scarcely less than what we put into the last one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He was 14 then; he is 82 now, an institution on television scarcely less than the news.

Independent

Scarcely less than political science or economics, cultural anthropology shared in the themes of the two revolutions and their impact on the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the general area of personality, mind, and character, the writings of Sigmund Freud had influence on 20th-century culture and thought scarcely less than Marx's.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Deregulation in a time of unequalled wealth brings other ills: a system that delivers the goods also delivers some formidable evils, which take a toll of humanity scarcely less than it did to the starvelings of early industrialism.

The Guardian - Opinion

And Cuffaro is the man who, in the recent national election, his besmirched reputation notwithstanding, delivered 57% of the Sicilian vote for the centre-right - scarcely less than the 60% achieved in 2001 - making Sicily, along with its rich northern cousins, Lombardy and Veneto, one the most blue regions in Italy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Carnegie could have done a greater service to Tchaikovsky by highlighting some of his great liturgical music, less well-known but scarcely less exquisite than Rachmaninoff's and more revelatory of another side to Tchaikovsky than any of the orchestral war horses opening the season.

The New York Times - Arts

Nigeria is scarcely less poor than before its oil boom began.

The Economist

But it will use scarcely less energy than the old one.

The New York Times

The moral advantages of such a holiday are scarcely less great than the physical.

The Guardian

Finding a partner, therefore, is scarcely less fraught than choosing a husband or a wife.

The Guardian - Money

He is one of the rare composers whose early works seem scarcely less mature than those of his maturity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely less than" to emphasize that the difference between two things is surprisingly small. This is useful when you want to highlight an unexpected similarity despite an apparent disparity.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely less than" when you intend to convey a significant difference. This phrase is best suited for situations where the items being compared are almost equal in magnitude or importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely less than" functions as an intensifying comparative, minimizing the perceived difference between two items. It operates by asserting that one thing is only slightly smaller or lesser than another, often creating a sense of surprise or unexpected similarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

40%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcely less than" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote a surprisingly small difference between two compared entities. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Its function is to emphasize similarity while acknowledging a minor disparity. Primarily found in news and encyclopedia sources, it maintains a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the intent is to highlight near equivalence rather than significant divergence. Consider alternatives such as "almost as much as" or "nearly as much as" based on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost as much as

Replaces "scarcely" with "almost", softening the comparison slightly and focusing on similarity.

nearly as much as

Uses "nearly" instead of "scarcely", which emphasizes the close proximity in degree or amount.

just about as much as

Adds "just about" for a more informal and conversational tone, highlighting the near equivalence.

hardly any less than

Substitutes "scarcely" with "hardly any", stressing the minimal difference between the two things being compared.

not significantly less than

Replaces "scarcely" with "not significantly", giving a more formal and precise indication of the small difference.

virtually the same as

Implies near equivalence, emphasizing the lack of practical difference.

comparable to

Indicates similarity in quality or extent, but lacks the emphasis on a slight difference.

on par with

Suggests equal standing or quality, omitting the notion of being slightly smaller or less.

approaching the level of

Focuses on nearing a certain level or degree, but does not imply being slightly below it.

not far from

Indicates proximity in a general sense, without the specific comparison of 'less than'.

FAQs

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

Use "scarcely less than" to indicate that something is almost as much as something else. For example, "The effort required for this project is "scarcely less than" what we put into the last one".

What are some alternatives to "scarcely less than"?

You can use alternatives like "almost as much as", "nearly as much as", or "just about as much as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "scarcely less than"?

Yes, "scarcely less than" is a grammatically correct phrase. It is used to convey that something is only slightly smaller or less than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "almost as much as" and "scarcely less than"?

"Scarcely less than" suggests a surprising similarity, while "almost as much as" is a more neutral comparison. The former highlights an unexpected closeness, whereas the latter simply states the near equivalence.