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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
A less early
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The part of a sentence "a less early" can be correct and usable in written English, depending on the context
It is often used to compare two periods of time or two levels of something, where one is earlier than the other but not as early as something else. Example: He arrived a less early than his friend, but still managed to secure a good spot in line.
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The New York Times - Sports
TechCrunch
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Coronal post-contrast fat-suppressed T1WI (c) shows a pituitary microadenoma which shows less early contrast enhancement than the normal pituitary tissue.
Science
He just wants his team, which has had a less challenging early schedule — including games against the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Delaware State and Bryant University — to learn and grow from the adversity it is expected to face.
News & Media
Again, in its rebuttal, Facebook rejects that characterization — claiming a less inept early handling of the political disinformation threat.
News & Media
Minson has been using similar smartphone technology to bring a less costly early warning system to Chile.
News & Media
Minson has been using similar smartphone technology to bring a less costly early warning system to Chile.
News & Media
In these studies, a robust disruption of an Hsp90|3 specific complex was observed, while NB, 17-AAG, and F-4 (a less potent early novobiocin analog) only moderately disrupted the complex.
Science
Here Valery Gergiev conducts his St. Petersburg-based ensemble in all six Tchaikovsky symphonies, in each case pairing an overfamiliar later work with a less familiar earlier one.
News & Media
Researchers had previously found eight genetic loci, mostly associated with a less common, early-onset form of Parkinson's, but family studies of the late-onset version have generally come up empty.
Science & Research
In 1996 the Getty had probed for the ghost inside its Rembrandt with a less precise, earlier generation technique called neutron activation autoradiography.
News & Media
But first a nod to a less-expected early influence: Atlas Scenic Studios, a union set-building company in Connecticut, where Ms. Santry got her start right out of art school.
News & Media
Given the limited available resources, priorities are probably best directed at treatment of early stage disease and at developing a less expensive means of early diagnosis.
Science
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
Use "a less early" when you want to indicate that something occurred or will occur at a time that is not as early as another point of reference. Ensure the context clearly establishes the comparison.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "a less early" if there's no clear point of comparison. The phrase implies a comparison, so ensure that the context makes it evident what is being compared to what.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a less early" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or adverb, indicating a comparative degree of earliness. It suggests that something happened before a certain point, but not as early as something else. Ludwig AI considers it acceptable depending on the context.
Expression frequency: Rare
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
15%
⚠ Less common in
Academia
10%
Wiki
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "a less early" is used to indicate that something occurred before a certain point but not as far in advance as something else. Ludwig AI identifies it as acceptable in English, emphasizing the need for a clear comparative context. While not very common, this phrase can be useful for adding nuance to descriptions of timing. Alternatives like "a somewhat earlier" or "not as early" can be used depending on the specific context. When using "a less early", ensure that the context clearly establishes the comparison to avoid ambiguity.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a somewhat earlier
Implies a slightly earlier time, similar to the original phrase but with a different modifier.
a not so early
Expresses that something is not as early as something else, maintaining the comparative aspect.
a marginally earlier
Indicates a slight difference in time, emphasizing the small degree of earliness.
a slightly prior
Focuses on the prior occurrence of something, using "prior" instead of "early".
a minimally early
Highlights the minimal difference in time, suggesting it's only slightly early.
a relatively early
Expresses earliness in relation to something else, but with a softer tone.
FAQs
How can I use "a less early" in a sentence?
You can use "a less early" to compare two points in time, indicating one is earlier than another but not as early as a third. For example, "He arrived "a less early" than expected, but still missed the beginning".
What's a good alternative to "a less early"?
Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a somewhat earlier", "a slightly prior", or "not as early".
Is it always necessary to have a direct comparison when using "a less early"?
Yes, it's best to have a clear comparison. The phrase implies that something is not as early as something else. Without a comparison, the meaning can be unclear. Make sure your phrase is easily replaceable by "not as early as".
What does "a less early" imply about the timing of an event?
It implies that the event occurred before a specific reference point but not as far in advance as some other event or expectation. It suggests a relative degree of earliness.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested