some less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some less" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when attempting to express a comparative degree of quantity or degree. Example: "I would like some less sugar in my coffee."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some charge more, some less.

The New York Times

There are some less good examples.

The New York Times - Arts

Some are good, some less so.

The New York Times

Some less predictable contenders merit a cheer.

Independent

And by some less measurable standards, too.

The New York Times

Some are proactive, some less so.

The Guardian

There are some less convincing moments.

The Guardian - Film

Some ask for more, some less; some take nothing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The third episode also included some less-than-friendly behavior.

The New York Times

But the reports were tempered by some less-optimistic outlooks.

The New York Times

Even some less-seasoned financiers are trying their skills.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express a smaller quantity, use "a little less" or "somewhat less" for grammatically correct alternatives. For example, instead of saying "I want some less sugar", say "I want a little less sugar."

Common error

Avoid using "some less" when you mean "a little less". "Some less" is not considered standard English and can sound awkward. Always opt for a more precise quantifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some less" functions as a quantifier, attempting to express a smaller amount or degree. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It's often intended to convey a comparative, but falls short of established grammatical conventions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "some less" is frequently encountered, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, using alternatives such as "a little less" or "somewhat less" provides a clearer and more grammatically sound way to express a reduced quantity or degree. Although it appears in various sources, including news and online content, it's best to avoid "some less" in formal writing. Choosing precise quantifiers will improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little less

Replaces "some" with "a little", providing a more standard and grammatically sound expression of a small reduction.

somewhat less

Substitutes "some" with "somewhat", offering a slightly more formal alternative to express a moderate reduction.

slightly less

Replaces "some" with "slightly", indicating a small degree of reduction.

marginally less

Emphasizes a very small difference or reduction compared to something else.

a bit less

Uses "a bit" instead of "some", offering a more informal way to indicate a slight decrease.

appreciably less

Indicates a noticeable or significant reduction.

noticeably less

Highlights that the reduction or difference is easily observed.

considerably less

Indicates a substantial or significant reduction.

significantly less

Similar to "considerably less" but emphasizes the importance of the reduction.

distinctly less

Highlights a clear and definite reduction or difference.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "some" with comparative adjectives?

While "some" can indicate an unspecified amount, using it directly before a comparative adjective like "less" is generally incorrect. Instead, use phrases like "a little less" or "somewhat less".

Is "some less" ever grammatically correct?

In most contexts, "some less" is considered grammatically incorrect. The phrase doesn't align with standard English usage for expressing comparative quantities. There might be rare, highly specific instances where it's acceptable, but these are exceptions, not the rule.

What are some common mistakes when using "less"?

A common mistake is using "less" with countable nouns (which should use "fewer"). Another is using "some less" instead of clearer quantifiers like "slightly less" or "a bit less".

What's a more formal way to say "a little less"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "somewhat less", "appreciably less", or "significantly less", depending on the degree of reduction you want to convey.