the less interested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the less interested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing levels of interest between two or more subjects, indicating that one is less interested than another. Example: "In the discussion about the project, John seemed the less interested of the group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The more they hard-sell, the less interested you become.

The Guardian - Sport

Paradoxically, the deeper I got into neuropsychology the less interested I became in the details of my inner workings.

Independent

(Murphy isn't offended by this interpretation. "The more you are like me, the less interested in my band you are," he admitted).

The New Yorker

"The more status you have in the system, the less interested you should be in testing whether you are better than ordinary mortals".

Independent

"The higher the percentage of black actors in the movie, the less interested white participants were in seeing the movie," said the report.

The Guardian - Film

But timing is important -- the longer it took for an item to arrive, the less interested shoppers were in making a purchase, even with the shipping and handling promotion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Generic and vague cover letters will make the interviewer less interested in you.

WikiHow

The nurses who had the lowest acceptance rate also thought that the families were less interested in the study than those with high acceptance rate.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Americans aren't as interested in abstractions as in the concrete, are less interested in the larger picture than the smaller one.

The New York Times

But they seemed more interested in the food and less interested in the art, even though they were the star attraction.

The New York Times

The ad shows that the president is less interested than anyone in advertising the moderate credentials of his rival.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the less interested" when describing relative levels of engagement or enthusiasm to highlight differences in attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "the less interested" without a comparative element. It implies a comparison, so ensure it's clear what's being compared to maintain logical consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the less interested" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun (often implied, such as 'person' or 'group'). It introduces a comparison, indicating a lower level of interest compared to another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the less interested" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a relative lack of interest. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its frequency across diverse contexts like News & Media and Science underscores its versatility. When using "the less interested", ensure a clear comparative structure to avoid ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider "the more indifferent" or "the more unenthusiastic" depending on the intended nuance. With its established usage and clear communicative function, "the less interested" remains a valuable asset in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the more uninterested

Direct synonym focusing on a lack of interest.

the more unenthusiastic

Emphasizes a lack of enthusiasm or excitement.

the more uninvolved

Highlights a lack of participation or engagement.

the more indifferent

Highlights a neutral or unbiased lack of concern.

the more unconcerned

Highlights a lack of worry or care.

the more apathetic

Focuses on apathy as a stronger form of disinterest.

the more unresponsive

Focuses on a lack of reaction or engagement.

the more detached

Suggests an emotional distance or lack of involvement.

the more bored

Implies a feeling of weariness and lack of interest.

the more dismissive

Suggests a rejection or disregard for something.

FAQs

How do I use "the less interested" in a sentence?

Use "the less interested" to compare levels of interest between two or more entities. For example, "Among the students, John was "the less interested" in the lecture".

What's a good alternative to "the less interested"?

Alternatives include "the more apathetic", "the more indifferent", or "the more unenthusiastic" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the least interested" instead of "the less interested"?

"The least interested" implies a superlative degree of disinterest (the absolute minimum), while "the less interested" suggests a comparative degree (less than others). The choice depends on whether you're indicating the lowest level of interest or simply a lower level relative to others.

How does "the less interested" compare to "uninterested"?

"Uninterested" describes a general lack of interest, while "the less interested" specifies a comparative lack of interest in relation to something or someone else. "He was uninterested in the topic" versus "He was "the less interested" participant in the discussion".