though less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two quantities or qualities, indicating that one is smaller or lesser in some way than the other. Example: "The new model is more efficient, though less than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are some 2m family farms, though less than half of them provide a full livelihood.

The Economist

Last December, though, less than a year after taking office, President Dilma Rousseff announced a $1.9 billion prevention and addict-outreach program.

Independent

By 2007, though, less than half (44percentt) lived in middle-income neighborhoods.

Huffington Post

Israel's official response to J Street, which though less than two years old has been described as a counterweight to AIPAC, has gone from chill to cold-shoulder.

Huffington Post

Financial companies fell, though less than the overall stock market.

The New York Times

Ordinary crime, though less than last year, is rampant.

The Economist

So fuel rods that undergo fission get riddled with plutonium, though less than in mox fuel.

The New York Times

All of which is better than nothing, though less than wholly reassuring.

The New York Times

Mr. Silverstein received $1.13 billion, a substantial sum, though less than he had sought.

The New York Times

I still have a professorship and am able to work, though less than before.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Whether the structure could ever become practically useful remains an intriguing though less-than-revolutionary question.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "though less than", ensure the comparison is clear and logical. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the aspects being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "though less than" when the comparison is vague or unclear. Always provide context to specify what is being compared; otherwise, the phrase may lose its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though less than" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a clause that presents a contrast or qualification to the preceding statement. Ludwig examples show its use in comparing quantities, sizes, or degrees.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though less than" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, indicating that something is smaller or lesser in comparison to something else. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across different contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific articles. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include phrases like "although smaller than" or "while not as much as". The numerous examples provided by Ludwig, combined with the high expert rating, confirm the phrase's solid standing in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although smaller than

Replaces "less" with "smaller", focusing on size as the comparative aspect.

even if smaller than

Adds emphasis with "even if", suggesting a concession despite the smaller size.

while not as much as

Uses a different structure with "while not as much", highlighting the difference in quantity or degree.

albeit to a lesser degree than

More formal, using "albeit" to introduce the comparative aspect of lesser degree.

however, not as significant as

Replaces "less than" with "not as significant as", shifting focus to importance or impact.

yet not exceeding

Presents a similar comparative relation, framed as a condition of non-exceedance.

not quite as much as

Uses "not quite as much" to suggest a slightly smaller difference.

though to a reduced extent

More formal and descriptive, using "reduced extent" to convey the comparative aspect.

even when subordinate to

Frames comparison as subordination, which is a more specific kind of 'less than'.

while being inferior to

Focuses on inferiority as the comparative aspect, adding a sense of value judgment.

FAQs

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

Use "though less than" to draw a contrast where something is smaller or lesser compared to something else. For example, "The increase was noticeable, "though less than" anticipated."

What are some alternatives to "though less than"?

Alternatives include "although smaller than", "while not as much as", or "albeit to a lesser degree than", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what is being compared when using "though less than"?

For clarity, it's best to specify what's being compared. Omitting it can lead to ambiguity. For example, instead of "The cost was high, though less than expected", be specific: "The cost was high, "though less than" the initial estimate."

How does "though less than" differ from "even less than"?

"Though less than" indicates a simple comparison, whereas "even less than" emphasizes that the difference is surprisingly or significantly smaller. "The impact was minimal, "though less than" anticipated" vs. "The impact was minimal, "even less than" we feared."