thinly less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinly less than" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to attempt to express a comparison, but the wording is awkward and unclear. Example: "The results were thinly less than what we expected, leading to confusion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Slice potatoes very thinly (less than 1/8-inch thick).

The New York Times - Food

Slice ricotta salata thinly, less than a quarter-inch thick, and it crumbles into shards that deliver a suave dose of salt to each mouthful.

The New York Times

It is more usual, in my experience, to roll the dough somewhat thinner: Lawrence goes for 5mm and MacClure "very thinly, less than an eighth of an inch", or 3mm, like Grierson.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

Slice them very thin. 1 to 2 cups very thinly sliced chard stalks (slice less than 1/4 inch thick) 1/2 cup (135 grams) seasoned rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon (15 grams) sherry vinegar 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar 1 cup (230 grams) water 2 1/4 teaspoons (10 grams) kosher salt 1. Place the chard stalks in a jar or bowl.

The New York Times - Health

That price was roughly double the market value of the thinly traded shares, but 45percentt less than their net asset value.

The New York Times

The Daily is thinly-staffed and will cost less than half a million dollars a week to put out.

The Economist

His remarks appeared to be a thinly veiled swipe at the Continent less than two months after European Union leaders criticized him for refusing to sign a Europewide pact intended to help stabilize the euro zone, leading to an outburst of tension between Britain and France that has since cooled.

The New York Times

Then the Asia crisis marked down the shares of fashion companies, including Ittierre's thinly traded stock, which fell to less than half its peak.

Forbes

TARVER: They were less thinly veiled than you might think.

TechCrunch

David Dimbleby today promised the BBC would not "sex up" its coverage of what promises to be a less than thrilling general election in a thinly disguised dig at ITV's flashy plans for poll night.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, use clearer and more common phrases like "slightly less than" or "a bit less than" to improve readability and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid combining adverbs like "thinly" with comparative phrases such as "less than" as it creates awkward and unclear comparisons. Opt for more direct comparative adjectives or adverbs to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinly less than" attempts to combine an adverb ("thinly") with a comparative expression ("less than"). However, this combination is grammatically awkward and doesn't convey a clear, standard meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase isn't considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thinly less than" is grammatically questionable and lacks clarity in standard English. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's best to avoid this phrase. While examples exist, primarily in news and media, more precise and common alternatives like "slightly less than" or "a bit less than" are preferable for better communication. Replacing it with clearer comparative expressions will improve readability and avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly less than

Emphasizes a small difference, indicating something is a bit smaller or lower.

marginally less than

Similar to 'slightly less than', but with a nuance of being just barely below a certain point.

a bit less than

Informal way to indicate a small difference in quantity or degree.

not quite as much as

Indicates a comparison where something does not fully reach a certain quantity or degree.

somewhat smaller than

Highlights that something is smaller in size or amount, to some extent.

a shade under

Informal; implies a very slight difference, often used for measurements or amounts.

nearly below

Similar to 'slightly less than', but implies close proximity to, but not reaching, a particular threshold.

just under

Implies a small difference, as something is barely below certain amount or level.

almost not

Emphasizes the proximity to a certain measurement, but indicating a negative proximity.

fractionally below

Emphasizes the very small difference in numerical values.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the awkward phrase "thinly less than"?

Better alternatives include "slightly less than", "a bit less than", or "marginally less than". These options are clearer and more grammatically sound.

Is it ever correct to use "thinly" to modify a comparative phrase?

Generally, no. "Thinly" typically describes physical thinness or a lack of substance, not a degree of difference in comparison. It's best to use adverbs that specifically denote degree, such as "slightly" or "marginally".

How can I rephrase a sentence that incorrectly uses "thinly less than"?

Identify what you are trying to compare. For example, instead of "The results were thinly less than expected", try "The results were "slightly below" expectations".

What is the difference between "thinly veiled" and "thinly less than"?

"Thinly veiled" is an idiom that means something is only slightly concealed. It is grammatically correct. The expression "thinly less than" is not a recognized idiom and is grammatically incorrect.