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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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yes less than

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yes less than" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to compare quantities or amounts, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "The answer is yes, but it is less than what I expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And, granted, the roles and allegiances of the puppet Vichy government, the Vichy France military, some of the French people and even of some splinter groups of the French Résistance during the Nazi occupation were complex, controversial and, yes, less than patriotic.

News & Media

Huffington Post

4The question on the survey is "Have you worked at night (evening, Saturday, Sunday) in the last four weeks?" Possible answers are (1) Yes, at least twice per week (or month, if question is about weekends); (2) Yes, less than twice per week (or month, if question is about weekends); (3) No; (4) Do not know.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Teachers were second only to physicians in reporting having felt stress, and when asked, "Does your supervisor always create an environment that is trusting and open, or not?" teachers answered "yes" less frequently than respondents in any other profession, including workers in sales, construction and mining, and service occupations.

News & Media

The New York Times

Tawny in color and, yes, less searing to the tongue than the breathtaking white 'shine, this new, more coddled corn liquor ("less than 60 days old" is the label guarantee) amounts to 80-proof proof that evolution continues apace in the hills of Appalachia.

News & Media

The New York Times

Answer possibilities were "no; yes, but less than one glass per day on average; yes, on average … glasses per day".

Less Than Jake.

For the first 15 minutes or so, this form of fantasy football flourished as a side collectively worth £25m – yes, £13m less than Aguero – strolled around enjoying 69 per cent of the ball.

News & Media

Independent

Less then four hours after sending the initial message over Twitter, Mr. Beals reported in another Twitter message, "SHE SAID YES!!!!" In less than three days, the 65 response videos drew more than 5.2 million views on YouTube, where the Old Spice channel was the most viewed on Tuesday, while the brand's Twitter followers grew to 48,000, from 3,000.

News & Media

The New York Times

When participants were asked if they had a favorable opinion of wind energy, 85% responded yes, and less than 5% said they had a negative view.

She said the $99 price point, which yes, is less than an iPhone, was the main factor in her decision to buy in.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"Serge knows what he needs to help his business take off, and it was love at first sight when I met him — I said yes in less than 24 hours".

News & Media

TechCrunch
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yes less than", ensure you complete the comparison. For example, instead of saying "yes less than", clarify with "yes, less than I expected" to make the comparison clear.

Common error

Avoid using "yes less than" without specifying what you are comparing it to. This phrase is incomplete and can confuse your reader. Always clarify the point of comparison for clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yes less than" functions as a discourse marker combined with a comparative. The "yes" indicates affirmation or agreement, while "less than" introduces a comparison, implying that something is smaller, fewer, or of a lower degree than some reference point. Based on Ludwig AI response, this phrase is considered incorrect in written English when used in isolation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "yes less than" indicates agreement combined with a comparative element, suggesting that a quantity or degree is lower than a reference point. As Ludwig AI has pointed out, the isolated phrase is incorrect, requiring a completion to clarify the comparison. While the phrase appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, it's crucial to complete the comparison to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Related phrases like "yes, "fewer than"" or "yes, "not more than"" can offer alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

FAQs

How can I properly use "yes less than" in a sentence?

To use "yes less than" correctly, complete the comparison. For example, "The cost was yes, "less than I anticipated"" provides a clear comparison.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "yes less than"?

Similar phrases include "yes, "fewer than"", "yes, "not more than"", or "yes, but "under"" depending on the intended comparison.

Is it grammatically correct to say "yes less than" by itself?

No, "yes less than" is grammatically incomplete on its own. It requires a comparative element to specify what you are affirming is less than something else. For instance, "yes, less than expected".

How does "yes less than" compare to "no more than"?

"Yes less than" indicates an affirmative response with a comparative element, while "no more than" is a negative response with a limitation. "Yes, "less than before"" affirms a reduction, whereas "no more than necessary" sets an upper limit.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: