significantly less

USAGE SUMMARY

"significantly less" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decrease in amount, size, or degree. For example: "The new tax laws resulted in significantly less profit than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, significantly less.

The New York Times - Magazine

Most receive significantly less.

The Washington Post

Women still earn significantly less than men.

The New York Times

Yes, that's significantly less than 100.

The New York Times

The consistent balance is significantly less.

The New York Times

In fact, it is giving significantly less.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook and Microsoft both spent significantly less.

The Guardian - Tech

The 1954 adaptation is significantly less terrifying.

The New Yorker

#, significantly less than JEV-infected, p<0.01.

Nature

Women in such districts earned significantly less.

The New York Times

Mr. Weems was earning significantly less.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider quantifying the difference when possible. For example, instead of saying "significantly less expensive", specify the percentage or monetary amount saved.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly less" when the reduction is marginal or not truly substantial. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility. If the difference is minor, consider using phrases like "slightly less" or "somewhat less" instead.

Linguistic Context

"Significantly less" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective, indicating a considerable decrease or reduction. It is used to emphasize the extent to which something is smaller, fewer, or of a lower degree. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly less" is a versatile phrase used to denote a considerable reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains. It is most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared and quantify the difference when possible to maximize clarity. Alternatives such as "markedly reduced" or "noticeably diminished" can provide stylistic variation while maintaining semantic equivalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

markedly reduced

Emphasizes the noticeable degree of reduction.

considerably smaller

Focuses on the size difference being substantial.

noticeably diminished

Highlights that the reduction is easily observed.

substantially decreased

Indicates a considerable drop in quantity or value.

appreciably lower

Stresses that the decrease is measurable and important.

distinctly reduced

Highlights the clarity of the reduction.

considerably alleviated

Emphasizes the substantial easing or reduction of something negative.

substantially curtailed

Implies a significant limiting or restriction.

greatly lessened

Emphasizes the degree to which something has become smaller or weaker.

vastly diminished

Indicates a very large or extensive reduction.

FAQs

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

Use "significantly less" to indicate a notable reduction in quantity, size, or degree. For example, "The new engine consumes "markedly reduced" fuel compared to the old one".

What are some alternatives to "significantly less"?

Alternatives include phrases like "markedly reduced", "considerably smaller", or "noticeably diminished", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "significantly fewer" instead of "significantly less"?

"Significantly fewer" is used for countable items, while "significantly less" is used for uncountable items. For example, "significantly fewer errors" vs. "significantly less water".

What's the difference between "significantly less" and "slightly less"?

"Significantly less" indicates a substantial difference, while "slightly less" implies a minor or marginal difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the reduction you want to convey.