significantly less time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly less time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the amount of time taken for different tasks or activities, indicating a notable reduction in time. Example: "By implementing the new software, we were able to complete the project in significantly less time than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And it's taken significantly less time than we anticipated".

The New York Times

The next match on Court 11 required significantly less time to determine a winner.

The New York Times

But listeners spend significantly less time with the material: six hours 34 minutes a week, rather than 10 hours a week in 2006.

The Guardian

(According to the A.S.P.C.A., many cat owners today spend significantly less time with their pets than they did just a decade ago).

The New York Times - Magazine

Much had been made, before the match, of the fact that Federer would be fresher, having spent significantly less time on the court than his younger opponent.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, one recent study found that students spend significantly less time studying today than they did in the past.

The New York Times

"Other tablet providers need to understand why owners of their tablets spent significantly less time on their devices," said Annette Jump, research director at Gartner.

The New York Times - Tech

Moreover, our algorithm obtained better solution in significantly less time than CPLEX.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Also, it requires much smaller computational resources and is significantly less time intensive.

Infrared Physics & Technology

One of these groups fared far worse, surviving for significantly less time than the other patients.

BBC

The probe trial revealed that diazepam-treated rats spent significantly less time swimming in the target quadrant.

Clinical Phytoscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significantly less time", ensure that you are comparing two specific durations or processes to highlight the reduction. For example: "The new software completed the task in significantly less time than the old one."

Common error

Avoid using "significantly less time" without a clear point of comparison. The phrase implies a reduction from a previous duration or alternative method. Without context, it lacks meaning. Example: Instead of saying "The project took significantly less time", specify what it took less time than: "The project took significantly less time than initially projected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly less time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the extent to which the time required for an action or process is reduced, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples showing its use in various scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly less time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize a notable reduction in duration. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and wide applicability across diverse fields like science, news, and business. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide clear context for comparison and strive for accuracy in representing the magnitude of the time reduction. Alternatives like "much shorter duration" or "considerably reduced period" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember that clarity is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much shorter duration

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning, focusing on the duration aspect.

considerably reduced period

This phrase emphasizes the reduction in a specific timeframe, using 'considerably' for emphasis.

markedly quicker timeframe

This alternative highlights the speed aspect of the reduced time, using 'markedly' for emphasis.

substantially faster pace

This option focuses on the rate at which something occurs, implying that it takes less time overall.

noticeably briefer interval

This phrase emphasizes the short nature of the time interval, using 'noticeably' to indicate a clear difference.

appreciably diminished timeframe

This alternative suggests a measurable decrease in the duration, using 'appreciably' for emphasis.

substantially curtailed duration

This phrase highlights that the duration has been cut short in a notable way.

markedly abridged timeframe

This option indicates a reduction in the length of the period in a clear and evident way.

considerably truncated interval

This alternative suggests a portion of the time has been cut off in a significant way.

far shorter span

This option conveys that the time is substantially reduced, using more concise language.

FAQs

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

Use "significantly less time" to compare the duration of two tasks, processes, or events, emphasizing that one takes considerably less time than the other. Example: "The new method requires "much less time" than the old one."

What are some alternatives to "significantly less time"?

You can use alternatives like "much shorter duration", "considerably reduced period", or "markedly quicker timeframe" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "significantly lesser time" instead of "significantly less time"?

While "lesser" can sometimes be used to mean "smaller" or "less important", "less" is generally preferred when referring to a quantity of something like time. Therefore, "significantly less time" is the more common and grammatically sound choice. "Significantly lesser time" is less frequent and can sound awkward.

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

"Significantly less time" implies a considerable or noteworthy reduction in duration, while "slightly less time" suggests a small or marginal difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the time reduction you want to emphasize. Use "slightly less time" for small differences and "significantly less time" for large ones.