sourced less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sourced less" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the reduction of sourcing or procurement, but it is better to clarify the intended meaning. Example: "The company has sourced less material this quarter due to budget constraints."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Between 2006 and 2012 smoking prevalence among young people declined by 8.1% (the linear trend coefficient was −0.74; 95% CI −1.03 to −0.45, significant p<0.01), consequently 14 15-year-olds 14 15-year-olds 14 15-year-oldsourcesourcedthis period.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Offspring of UL parents spent more time at the high energy food source, and less at the low energy food source (Figure 4).

Plosone

Solely for this reason the voter turnout was, according to some sources, less than 7percentt.

The New York Times

And only 7 percent of the nation's energy comes from renewable sources, less than in most other advanced nations.

The New York Times

The company sources less than 10% of its stock from Bangladesh and confirmed it had never used the collapsed Rana Plaza complex.

The Guardian - Business

Cons: pricey; many TVs lack an optical-out jack, causing hassles if you use multiple sources; less stereo separation than a pair of speakers when playing music.

The Guardian - Tech

Latin America spends less than 2% of GDP on transport infrastructure from public and private sources, less than half what is needed.

The Economist

Hundreds of people have had contact with Mr Beghal, says one police source; less than a third of them can be monitored.

The Economist

Here the old antennae should be twitching, for there is only one source less credible than a "witch doctor" and that's the "old Africa hand" out to impress a new arrival.

The Guardian - Books

The contemporary French author Grégoire Bouillier is too self-mocking by half to claim membership in this exalted club; his very pretensions to intellectual activity are, in his telling, a source less of honor than of horreur.

The New York Times - Books

We also find that firms source less local knowledge for their own inventions when firm inventive concentration is high.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "sourced less" with more common alternatives such as "reduced sourcing" or "obtained a smaller amount" to enhance comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "sourced less" repeatedly in formal reports or business documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "decreased procurement" or "reduced acquisition" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sourced less" functions as a verb phrase with an adverb, indicating a reduction in the act of obtaining something from a particular origin. The verb "sourced" implies an action of procurement, while "less" quantifies the reduction. Ludwig AI flags that the phrase is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sourced less" is an acceptable, but not standard way, to indicate a reduction in procurement or derivation. While understandable, it's often more precise and clear to use alternatives such as "reduced sourcing", "obtained a smaller amount", or "decreased procurement". Ludwig AI suggests that it is better to clarify the intended meaning. In formal contexts, varying your language with synonyms is advisable. The phrase is most likely to be used in science, news media, and formal business contexts. To enhance clarity, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and select the most appropriate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtained less

Focuses on the act of acquiring, suggesting a reduced amount was successfully acquired.

Procured less

Highlights the act of formal procurement, implying a decrease in the amount formally acquired.

Acquired a smaller quantity

Emphasizes the reduced amount obtained through any means.

Reduced procurement

Focuses on the action of reducing the act of procurement itself.

Decreased sourcing

Highlights a general decline in the overall sourcing efforts.

Used fewer sources

Indicates a reduction in the number of sources utilized.

Sourced a reduced amount

Focuses on the amount sourced, indicating that the quantity obtained was smaller.

Derived less

Focuses on the act of deriving, suggesting a reduced amount was obtained from a source.

Lowered sourcing volume

Highlights a decline in the volume or amount of goods sourced.

Limited sourcing

Emphasizes a restriction or constraint placed on the act of sourcing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "sourced less" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "obtained less", "reduced sourcing", or "procured less" for enhanced clarity depending on the context.

Is "sourced less" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "sourced less" isn't the most standard phrasing. More conventional alternatives such as "reduced sourcing" or "obtained a smaller quantity" might be preferable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "sourced less"?

The phrase "sourced less" is acceptable in contexts where a reduction in procurement or derivation is being discussed. However, for more formal or professional settings, consider using alternatives like "decreased sourcing" or "acquired a smaller quantity".

What are some specific contexts where "sourced less" might be used?

The phrase "sourced less" can be used in discussions about supply chain management, resource allocation, or manufacturing processes where a reduction in the amount of materials or components obtained is relevant. For example, a company might state that it "sourced less" of a particular raw material due to budget constraints or changes in production.