vastly less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vastly less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare quantities or degrees, indicating that one is significantly smaller or lesser than another. Example: "The new model is vastly less expensive than its predecessor, making it more accessible to consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vastly less secure.

Forbes

It's also vastly less successful.

The New Yorker

The rest of their population like it vastly less.

The New York Times

Under Metcalfe's law, Facebook is vastly less useful than MySpace.

The New Yorker

But readers spend vastly less time with online news stories than with their print counterparts.

The Economist

But it was also a billboard for the vastly less famous "Seinfeld" co-creator.

The New Yorker

Books in their digital format look vastly less "finished," less genuine.

The New York Times

Here's hoping for a more equal - and vastly less patronising - 2016.

Independent

Luckily, The Evil Within's inventory system is vastly less fiddly than that of Resident Evil.

The Guardian - Tech

Other countries came up with nuclear weapon designs that were vastly less safe.

The Guardian - Opinion

In their current stadium-pleasing incarnation, though, they're a vastly less interesting proposition.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vastly less" when you want to emphasize a considerable difference between two things, particularly in situations where the degree of difference is significant. For example, "The cost of the new system is "vastly less" than the old one."

Common error

While "vastly less" is generally appropriate, avoid using it excessively in very casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "much less" or "significantly less" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vastly less" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective, indicating a substantial reduction or decrease in the quality or quantity being described. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse domains, emphasizing its role in highlighting significant differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vastly less" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize a significant reduction or decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in news and media, highlighting noticeable disparities across different contexts. When writing, use "vastly less" to underscore substantial differences, but avoid overusing it in very casual settings. Alternatives like "significantly less" or "considerably less" may be more suitable in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly smaller

Focuses on a notable reduction in size or amount.

considerably reduced

Emphasizes the act of decreasing something to a substantial extent.

substantially diminished

Highlights a significant decrease in importance or value.

markedly lower

Points out a clear and noticeable decrease in level or degree.

appreciably fewer

Stresses a noticeable decrease in number.

noticeably lighter

Emphasizes a perceptible reduction in weight or burden.

measurably weaker

Highlights a decrease that can be quantified.

decidedly simpler

Focuses on a notable increase in simplicity.

distinctly inferior

Emphasizes a clear difference in quality, where one thing is worse than another.

materially reduced

Indicates a considerable reduction that has a practical effect.

FAQs

How can I use "vastly less" in a sentence?

Use "vastly less" to indicate a significant difference in degree, quantity, or extent. For example, "The new software uses "vastly less" memory than the previous version".

What are some alternatives to using "vastly less"?

Alternatives include "significantly less", "considerably less", or "substantially less". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "vastly less" or "much less"?

"Vastly less" implies a greater degree of difference compared to "much less". Use "vastly less" when the difference is substantial and noteworthy; otherwise, "much less" may suffice.

What's the difference between "vastly less" and "far less"?

While both indicate a reduction, "vastly less" suggests a more considerable and noticeable difference. "Far less" is a suitable alternative but may not always capture the same emphasis on magnitude.