slimmer than

USAGE SUMMARY

"slimmer than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two objects by noting that one is slimmer than the other. For example, "This pencil is much slimmer than that one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is also slimmer than most pianos.

The New York Times

A lot slimmer than you and me".

The New York Times - Sports

True, Tenet's profit margins are slimmer than Columbia's.

The Economist

At 6.9mm it's 0.7mm slimmer than iPhone 5s.

Independent

She is already slimmer than in her earlier days.

Independent

Ms. Chin said the final plan was 26 percent slimmer than the original.

The New York Times

But the new case is slimmer than its predecessors, according to Corum.

The New York Times

Bonds arrived through one entrance, looking slimmer than he has in years.

The New York Times - Sports

It is 7.6 millimeters thick, or 18 percent slimmer than the iPhone 4S.

The New York Times

But his victory was slimmer than expected, and the PRI was denied a majority in Congress.

The Economist

So Slim Tailored is slimmer than Tailored Slim, but not as tailored.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing physical dimensions, ensure you specify what exactly is "slimmer": is it the width, thickness, or overall build?

Common error

Avoid using "slimmer than" for abstract concepts like 'chances' or 'margins'. While grammatically acceptable, it's more precise to use phrases like "smaller" or "tighter" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slimmer than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to compare the physical dimensions of two entities, indicating that one has a lesser width, thickness, or overall bulk compared to the other. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard grammatical construction for expressing comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Slimmer than" is a commonly used and grammatically sound comparative phrase that serves to highlight the comparative slenderness of one object relative to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by the examples, this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it with precision, especially when comparing abstract concepts where alternatives like "smaller than" or "tighter than" may be more appropriate. When describing physical objects, ensure you are clear about which dimension (width, height, or thickness) is being compared. For more formal situations, consider alternatives such as "of a more slender build than". In summary, "slimmer than" is a reliable and effective way to convey a size comparison when used thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thinner compared to

Uses "thinner" as a synonym for "slimmer" and restructures the sentence for comparison.

Not as thick as

Emphasizes the reduced thickness of an object, similar to being slimmer.

Less wide than

Replaces "slimmer" with "less wide", focusing on the dimension of width rather than overall slenderness.

Of a more slender build than

Uses a more formal and descriptive phrase to convey the idea of slenderness.

More streamlined than

Focuses on the shape being more aerodynamic or sleek, implying slenderness as a result.

With a reduced profile compared to

Highlights the reduced external shape or outline, implying a slimmer appearance.

Having a leaner silhouette than

Focuses on the outline or shape, indicating a more slender or trim appearance.

Not as bulky as

Employs a negative comparison, highlighting the absence of bulkiness instead of directly stating slenderness.

More compact than

Suggests a smaller and more tightly packed form, often implying slenderness.

Lacking the girth of

Uses a negative comparison, emphasizing the absence of excessive width or thickness.

FAQs

How do I use "slimmer than" in a sentence?

Use "slimmer than" to compare the dimensions of two objects, indicating that one has a smaller width or thickness compared to the other. For example, "This phone is "slimmer than" my old one".

What's a more formal alternative to "slimmer than"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "of a more slender build than" or "less wide than". For instance, "The new model boasts a shape that is "of a more slender build than" its predecessor".

Can "slimmer than" be used to compare abstract concepts?

While technically correct, using "slimmer than" for abstract comparisons like "chances" or "margins" may sound awkward. Consider using "smaller than" or "tighter than" instead. For example, "The profit margin is "smaller than" expected" is preferable.

Which is correct, "slimmer than" or "more slim than"?

"Slimmer than" is the correct comparative form. "More slim than" is grammatically redundant because "slim" is a one-syllable adjective that forms its comparative with the suffix '-er'.