still less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still less" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when emphasizing the lower end of the scale for comparison. For example: Despite his considerable wealth, he felt obliged to attend the most economical choice of universities, and still less considered paying full tuition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still less of Mavis.

The New Yorker

Still less metaphysics.

The Economist

Still less to skirmish".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still less 3-0.

The Guardian - Sport

Still less "Camperial".

The Guardian

And distant strangers matter still less.

The New York Times

Still less did it mean idleness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still less would the imaginable coalitions.

The Economist

Still less so can Mr Fujimori.

The Economist

Still less the examples attached to it.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it is still less than stimulating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still less" to emphasize a descending order of importance or likelihood, making it clear that the latter item is even less relevant or probable than the former.

Common error

Avoid using "still less" when simply indicating a smaller quantity. Ensure the context involves a comparative scale of significance, not just numerical value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still less" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause to indicate a lower degree or extent than something previously mentioned. It adds emphasis by highlighting that the subsequent item is even less likely, important, or relevant. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "still less" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize a lower degree or unlikelihood compared to a previous statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure you use "still less" when comparing significance rather than quantity, and consider alternatives like "even less" or "much less" to fine-tune the emphasis. Remember that while examples can be taken from all categories, News & Media and Science are the more likely categories to encounter "still less".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even less

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used synonym, differing primarily in its simplicity.

much less

This alternative emphasizes a greater difference in degree or likelihood.

let alone

This alternative emphasizes impossibility or improbability, setting a higher bar.

even remotely

This alternative focuses on the lack of any connection or similarity.

to a lesser extent

This alternative is more formal and explicitly states the difference in degree.

far from it

This alternative indicates a complete absence of something, often in response to an assumption.

least of all

This alternative emphasizes the lowest priority or likelihood among a group.

not to mention

This alternative introduces an additional point that further diminishes the importance or likelihood.

to an even smaller degree

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes a continuous reduction.

by no means

This alternative strongly negates any possibility or association.

FAQs

How can I use "still less" in a sentence?

Use "still less" to indicate something is even less likely or important than something already mentioned. For example, "He didn't want to walk, "still less" run."

What are some alternatives to "still less"?

You can use alternatives like "even less", "much less", or "let alone" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "still less" and "even less"?

While similar, "still less" often implies a greater degree of difference or unlikelihood compared to "even less".

When is it appropriate to use "still less" instead of "much less"?

Use "still less" when you want to emphasize a ranking or scale of decreasing importance or probability. "Much less" is a more general term for indicating something is to a smaller degree.