to be less good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be less good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the quality or performance of something to indicate that it is not as good as something else. Example: "While the first version of the product was excellent, the updated version seems to be less good in terms of user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Yet support for English nurses appeared to be less good than for Swedish nurses.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Who, for the sake of staying uninfluenced, would've wanted anything different, anything to be less good?

The New Yorker

They tend to be less good at others, like, say, saving the world.

The New York Times

Beneath their superstar reputations, many of the Englishmen turned out to be less good than others at passing the football.

The Economist

It tends to be less good at exploiting IT use, which may explain why productivity growth has been flat, whereas America's has accelerated.

The Economist

He participated in groundbreaking work that showed that people who regularly multitasked tended actually to be less good at juggling tasks then people who were light multitaskers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But all this money going it to Tokyo may be less good news for other parts of the country, particularly the Tsunami ravaged north-east coast.

BBC

The food would be less good.

The New Yorker

People change rather more slowly than computers and telecoms might like them to; and they are less good at dreaming up new business models than venture capitalists might wish them to be.But the lesson does not stop there.

The Economist

Ofsted's latest data, from 30 June 2013, found that more than 15,000 children were attending a primary school judged to be less than good, at its last inspection.

BBC

More promisingly, a law scrapping rent controls has been submitted to Parliament.On infrastructure, there is less good news.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be less good", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. Specify the aspect in which something is "less good" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be less good" without specifying the area of deficiency. For example, instead of saying "the product is to be less good", specify "the product is to be less good in terms of battery life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be less good" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as a predicate adjective following a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'seems', 'appears'). It describes a state of diminished quality or effectiveness. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be less good" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a decline in quality or performance. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its effectiveness lies in providing a context and being specific about the attributes that are "less good". The phrase is predominantly used in news and media and scientific contexts. For formal settings, alternatives like "to be inferior" or "to be of lower quality" might be preferable. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and clearly specify the area of deficiency when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be not as good

A more straightforward and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

to be inferior

Directly indicates a lower quality or status.

to be of lower quality

Focuses specifically on the quality aspect.

to be worse

Simple and direct comparison indicating a decline in condition.

to be sub-par

Implies performance below an expected standard.

to be deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage in a particular attribute.

to be inadequate

Suggests that something is not sufficient or suitable.

to be diminished

Emphasizes a reduction or decrease in value or effectiveness.

to be weakened

Focuses on a loss of strength or power.

to be impaired

Highlights a functional reduction or damage.

FAQs

How can I use "to be less good" in a sentence?

Use "to be less good" when comparing the quality or performance of something to a previous state or another item. For instance, "The sequel proved "to be less good" than the original movie".

What's a more formal alternative to "to be less good"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "to be inferior" or "to be of lower quality". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it always negative to say something is "to be less good"?

Yes, the phrase generally carries a negative connotation as it implies a decline or deficiency in quality or performance compared to a reference point. However, its impact can be softened by specifying the aspect in which something is ""to be less good"".

Can I use "not as good as" instead of "to be less good"?

Yes, "not as good as" is a very similar and often interchangeable alternative. It's a more direct and less formal way to express that something is of lower quality or performance. For example, "This version is "not as good as" the previous one".