very less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'very less' is not correct and should not be used in written English.
You can use the correct phrase 'very little' instead in most cases. For example, "There is very little time left to finish the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were very less opportunities for graduate students.

Cornell University

The OTR value for HF reactor was very less.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Despite its popularity, bioavailability is very less (<5%).

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

The hardware complexity of involution block is very less.

Procedia Technology

Lifetime and efficiency of PV system are very less compared to the CSP technology.

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

The remaining two parameters have very less contribution towards mechanical properties of the 3D structures.

Composites Part B: Engineering

The design complexity of the proposed antenna is very less, as no vias are involved.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications

However, the literature to-date shows very less studies targeting this integration.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

The characterization studies proved very less interactions between the drug and the excipients.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Nearly stoichiometric cubic TaN films with very less carbon content were obtained with good conductivity values.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Uncoated alloy 80A shows the very less weight gain compared to other coated substrates.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a small quantity or degree, use "very little" for uncountable nouns and "very few" for countable nouns. For instance, use "very little water" but "very few apples".

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns. Remember that "less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less time", "less effort"), while "few" is for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer opportunities", "fewer students").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very less" functions as a modifier, attempting to express a low quantity or degree. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig highlights, the correct form is "very little" for uncountable nouns or "very few" for countable nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

12%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "very less" is frequently used across various domains, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct alternatives are "very little" for uncountable nouns and "very few" for countable nouns. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, it's best to avoid "very less" in formal writing and opt for its grammatically sound counterparts, or other alternatives like "minimal" or "negligible" depending on the context. Despite its prevalence, using correct grammar enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very little

Replaces "less" with "little", which is grammatically correct for uncountable nouns.

minimal

Emphasizes the smallness or insignificance of something.

scant

Highlights the inadequacy or deficiency of something.

negligible

Indicates that something is so small or unimportant that it can be disregarded.

almost none

Conveys a near absence of something.

a small amount

Replaces "very less" with a grammatically correct phrase indicating a small quantity.

hardly any

Suggests that there is very little or almost none of something.

a paucity of

Indicates a scarcity or lack of something.

dearth of

Emphasizes the lack or shortage of something.

a trickle of

Implies a very small and gradual amount.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "very less"?

The correct way to express a small quantity is to use "very little" for uncountable nouns or "very few" for countable nouns.

Can I always replace "very less" with "very little"?

In most cases, yes. "Very little" is the grammatically correct alternative when referring to an uncountable noun. Ensure the noun is indeed uncountable before making the substitution.

What are some formal alternatives to "very less"?

Formal alternatives include "minimal", "negligible", or "insignificant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does the meaning change if I use "very few" instead of "very less"?

Using "very few" implies you're talking about a countable number of items or entities. "Very less" is grammatically incorrect; you must use "very little" for uncountable nouns and "very few" for countable nouns. The meaning fundamentally shifts from an incorrect statement to a correct one about a small quantity.