sometimes less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs at times but is not always the case, often in relation to a quantity or degree that is below a certain level. Example: "The temperature in this region can sometimes be less than freezing during the winter months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Reframing is sometimes less than sympathetic.

The Guardian - Arts

Or it is sometimes less than dutiful.

The New Yorker

They realize that the behavior of college students is sometimes less than ideal.

University of California, Berkeley

In winter, there was sometimes less than four hours of electricity a day in Tbilisi.

The New Yorker

There are some, however, who are more dismissive of Etsy's sometimes less than polished offerings.

Independent

Nevertheless, his repression of Buddhism was sometimes less than the political climate and his advisers demanded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Shakespeare, to his credit, did make his own money, in sometimes less-than-savory ways (he was accused of hoarding).

Stanford University

In addition to revealing Darwin's intellectual evolution, the project also reveals Darwin's sometimes less-than-careful treatment of some of his own papers.

The New York Times

FOR all the joy associated with Easter, its concerts are sometimes less-than-joyful affairs, heavy on extended works that, for the uninitiated, can be demanding.

The New York Times

Slim Jim is a smaller variety, so doesn't need such sustained warmth to ripen, making it a more reliable cropper in our sometimes less-than-sunny climate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Slim Jim is a smaller variety, so doesn't need such sustained warmth to ripen, making it a more reliable cropper in our sometimes less-than-sunny climate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes less than", ensure the comparison is clear and the context provides a reference point for what is being compared. For example, "The effort made by students varied widely, as indicated by the amount of time on task (sometimes less than 10 min)."

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes less than" without a clear indication of what it is being compared to. Saying "The quality was sometimes less than" is vague; specify what it was less than, such as "The quality was sometimes less than expected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes less than" functions as a comparative qualifier, indicating that a certain quality or quantity is occasionally below a specific threshold. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is used to express a condition that is not consistently true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sometimes less than" is a versatile comparative qualifier that indicates a condition is not consistently true, implying occasional deficiency or variability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, appearing most frequently in news and media sources. When employing this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity, specifying what is being compared against. Alternatives include "occasionally smaller than" or "at times inferior to", which can be used to refine the intended meaning. Overall, understanding and using "sometimes less than" correctly will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally smaller than

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally" and "less" with "smaller" focusing on a size comparison.

at times inferior to

Substitutes "less than" with "inferior to", changing the comparison to one of quality rather than quantity.

periodically below

Uses "periodically" instead of "sometimes" and "below" for "less than", emphasizing the intermittent nature of being under a certain level.

now and then not as much as

Employs "now and then" for "sometimes" and rephrases "less than" to "not as much as", providing a more verbose alternative.

from time to time under

Replaces "sometimes" with "from time to time" and "less than" with "under", offering a temporal variation.

on occasion deficient compared to

Substitutes "sometimes" with "on occasion" and uses "deficient compared to" instead of "less than", highlighting a lack or shortfall.

not always greater than

Expresses a lack of consistent superiority, which implies the possibility of being less than, using a double negative.

infrequently exceeding

Suggests that the subject rarely surpasses a certain threshold, indicating that it is usually less than or equal to it.

not quite reaching

Focuses on the failure to achieve a particular standard or amount, suggesting that it is less than what is expected or desired.

sporadically lower than

Uses "sporadically" for "sometimes" and "lower than" for "less than", emphasizing the irregular and reduced state.

FAQs

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

Use "sometimes less than" to indicate that a quantity or quality is occasionally below a certain level. For example, "The internet speed is sometimes less than 50 Mbps" or "The service was sometimes less than satisfactory".

What are some alternatives to "sometimes less than"?

You can use alternatives such as "occasionally smaller than", "at times inferior to", or "periodically below" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. For example, the physical space was "occasionally smaller than" ideal.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sometimes less than"?

Yes, "sometimes less than" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is not always up to a certain standard or amount.

What is the difference between "sometimes less than" and "always less than"?

"Sometimes less than" indicates that the condition is not constant, while "always less than" signifies that the condition is consistently true. For example, "the price is "always less than" 10 dollars" indicates a permanent price cap.