weighs less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weighs less than" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing the weight of two or more objects or entities. For example, "This package weighs less than the other one." Alternative expressions include "is lighter than" and "has a lower weight than."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Do you have a friend who weighs less than you?

The New Yorker

At birth a cub weighs less than a kilogram.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It weighs less than five pounds and costs $84.99.

The New York Times - Travel

The 1797-98 budget weighs less than a pound.

The New York Times

The wife weighs "less than 120 pounds," according to the suit.

The New York Times

The PlayBook has a seven-inch display and weighs less than a pound.

The New York Times - Tech

It has a seven-inch screen and weighs less than a pound.

The Economist

Mangini, 39, weighs less than he did as a college senior at Wesleyan.

The New York Times - Sports

When finished, the meat weighs less than when started, not more, like the other guys".

The New York Times

The watch weighs less than one ounce, including the watchband, he says.

The New York Times

It's also built to withstand water, dirt and sand and weighs less than 4oz.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when comparing two distinct objects or when an object is being compared to a fixed numerical threshold

Common error

Avoid writing "the item weights less than" when you mean "the item weighs less than". The word "weights" is a plural noun or a third-person verb meaning to attach weights to something, whereas "weighs" is the correct third-person singular verb for measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weighs less than" functions as a comparative verb phrase. It consists of the third-person singular present indicative verb "weighs" followed by the comparative adverbial phrase "less than". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it consistently links a subject to a quantitative measurement or a comparative entity to establish a hierarchy of mass.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weighs less than" is an essential tool in English for expressing comparative mass. With over 60 high-quality examples indexed by Ludwig, it is proven to be grammatically correct and versatile across diverse fields. From describing a "RoboBee" that weighs less than a gram to a federal budget that "weighs less than" a pound, the phrase provides a clear and objective measurement. Ludwig AI highlights its reliability in professional journalism and scientific reporting. When using this phrase, remember to specify your units and ensure you are using the verb form "weighs" rather than the noun "weights" to maintain high writing standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is lighter than

Uses the adjective form to describe weight relative to another object

does not weigh as much as

A negative comparison that emphasizes the discrepancy in weight

has a lower weight than

Shifts the focus to the noun weight for a more formal or technical tone

masses less than

A scientific alternative focusing on mass rather than gravitational weight

falls below the weight of

Suggests a threshold or specific limit being surpassed

is under

A concise prepositional way to indicate being below a specific weight value

tips the scales at less than

An idiomatic expression often found in journalism and sports writing

clocks in at under

Casual journalistic shorthand frequently used for product specs or animal weights

is shorter than the weight of

A non-standard but occasionally used phrasing in specific measurement contexts

is sub-kilogram

A prefix-based adjective for very specific weight categories

FAQs

How do I use "weighs less than" in a sentence?

The phrase acts as a comparative verb phrase. For example: "The new laptop "weighs less than" three pounds".

What is a more formal way to say "weighs less than"?

In formal or academic contexts, you might use "has a lower mass than" or "exhibits a lower weight than".

Can I use "is lighter than" instead of "weighs less than"?

Yes, "is lighter than" is a perfectly acceptable and common synonym that often sounds more natural in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "weighs less than" and "is under"?

While "weighs less than" specifically refers to weight, "is under" can refer to age, price, or height as well as weight depending on the context.