still less than

USAGE SUMMARY

"still less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when expressing that something is a lesser amount than something else. For example, "He still has less than a month to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ITALIAN PUBLIC REVENUE.; Far Above Estimates but Still Less Than Expenditure.

The New York Times

But it is still less than stimulating.

The New York Times

Still, less than three minutes to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Digested read, digested: Still Less Than Zero.

The Guardian - Books

And their stockmarket is still less than half its peak.

The Economist

It's recovered somewhat but is still less than it was.

The New York Times

Yes, but India's internet penetration is still less than 15%.

The Guardian

Lap 19: Vettel still less than a second behind Massa.

The Guardian - Sport

By 1950 it was still less than 20.

The Guardian

Still, less than half of all 3- and 4-year-olds attend quality pre-k statewide.

University of California, Berkeley

That is still less than the bank's current book and tangible book values.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "still less than", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the units of measurement are consistent. For example, "The budget is still less than last year's, even after the adjustments."

Common error

Avoid using "still less than" without a clear point of comparison. For instance, instead of saying "The price is still less than expected", specify "The price is still less than what competitors are charging."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still less than" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that one quantity or value remains smaller than another, even after a change or adjustment. It typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, providing a quantitative comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still less than" is a versatile and commonly used comparative expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that a value remains smaller than another, even after an adjustment or change. Its grammatical function is to provide a quantitative comparison, and its communicative purpose is to highlight a persistent difference or shortfall.

With a neutral register, "still less than" appears frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, use it with a clear point of comparison and consistent units of measurement. Remember to avoid using it in absolute statements without specifying what is being compared. Alternatives such as "even smaller than" or "considerably below" can add nuance depending on your intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even smaller than

Emphasizes the smallness of the quantity.

considerably below

Indicates a notable difference in quantity.

markedly lower than

Highlights a significant decrease.

substantially under

Similar to considerably below but potentially applicable to amounts or requirements.

not even close to

Highlights the lack of approximation of the measure with a lower similarity score.

remains below

Indicates that the amount continues to be lower.

yet smaller than

Adds a sense of surprise or continuation.

falls short of

Highlights the deficiency in achieving a particular amount.

remains inferior to

Emphasizes the lower quality or status of the item or measure.

remains under

States something is still not the target value.

FAQs

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

The phrase "still less than" is used to indicate that a quantity or value remains smaller than another, even after a change or adjustment. For example, "Even with the new funding, the budget is "still less than" what we need."

What are some alternatives to "still less than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "even smaller than", "markedly lower than", or "considerably below", depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "still less than" and "much less than"?

"Still less than" indicates that a quantity remains smaller than another despite some change, while "much less than" simply emphasizes the significant difference in quantity without necessarily implying a prior change. For example, "The cost is much less than I anticipated."

When should I use "yet smaller than" instead of "still less than"?

Use "yet smaller than" when you want to add a sense of surprise or continued reduction. For example, "The yield was already low, but it's "yet smaller than" expected after the drought", whereas "still less than" simply indicates that something remains smaller than another value.