less
Less is an adverb used to indicate a smaller amount, degree, or extent of something. It is most frequently used to modify adjectives or verbs in comparative sentences to show that something is not as much as it was before or as much as something else.
Examples
3 of 5I walk less now that I have a car.
I do not walk as much as I did before having a vehicle.
The results were less conclusive than the committee had hoped.
The findings were not as definite as the group expected.
Try to worry less about the little things.
Attempt to be not as anxious about small problems.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'L' in 'Less' standing for 'Lower' amount.
Quick Quiz
This phone is ___ expensive than the one I bought last year.
Correct!
The correct answer is: less
Examples
I walk less now that I have a car.
everydayI do not walk as much as I did before having a vehicle.
The results were less conclusive than the committee had hoped.
formalThe findings were not as definite as the group expected.
Try to worry less about the little things.
informalAttempt to be not as anxious about small problems.
Subjects in the control group were less prone to errors.
academicPeople in the test group had a lower tendency to make mistakes.
The new model is less expensive to produce than the old one.
businessThe current version costs a smaller amount of money to manufacture.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
more or less
approximately or almost
less is more
the idea that simplicity is better than complexity
no less than
used to suggest that a number is surprisingly large
Often Confused With
Fewer is used for countable things (e.g., fewer books), while less is used for uncountable amounts or degrees (e.g., less water, less happy).
Usage Notes
Use 'less' to compare degrees of adjectives (less interesting) or to indicate a smaller amount of an uncountable quality. It can also follow a verb to show reduced frequency or intensity.
Common Mistakes
Many learners use 'less' with plural countable nouns (e.g., 'less people'), which is common in casual speech but considered incorrect in formal writing where 'fewer' should be used.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'L' in 'Less' standing for 'Lower' amount.
Word Origin
From the Old English word 'læs', which meant 'smaller' or 'lesser'.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
This phone is ___ expensive than the one I bought last year.
Correct!
The correct answer is: less
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
principled
C2Acting in accordance with morality and high standards of behavior. It describes a person or an action guided by a strict set of values and integrity rather than by personal gain or convenience.
analytical
C1Relating to or using analysis or logical reasoning to understand something by breaking it down into its constituent parts. It describes a systematic approach to problem-solving and the ability to evaluate information critically.
authorize
C1To grant official permission or legal power to someone to perform a specific action or to allow something to happen. It typically involves a formal process or a person in a position of authority validating a request or procedure.
beneficial
B2Beneficial describes something that has a good effect or promotes well-being. It is frequently used in formal or academic contexts to highlight the advantages or positive outcomes of a specific action, substance, or situation.
consistent
C2The quality of achieving a level of performance which does not vary over time, or the state of being coherent and not contradictory in logical or behavioral terms. Physically, it refers to the degree of thickness, firmness, or viscosity found in a substance.
constitutional
C2Relating to the fundamental principles or established laws that govern a state or organization. It can also refer to an individual's physical health or inherent temperament.
define
C1A precise statement or explanation of the meaning, nature, or scope of a word, concept, or thing. It is also used to describe the degree of clarity and detail in an image or sound.
contextual
B2Relating to the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. It describes information that helps explain the meaning of an event, statement, or idea by looking at its surroundings.
contractor
C1A person or company that performs work or provides goods and services under a specific legal agreement. Unlike a regular employee, a contractor is usually hired for a specific project or a fixed period of time as an independent entity.
derive
B2To obtain, receive, or trace something from a specific source or origin. It is commonly used to describe getting a benefit, a feeling, or a logical conclusion from something else.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free