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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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A less early

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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.

Insights into Imaging

The New York Times - Sports

TechCrunch

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.

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.

Again, in its rebuttal, Facebook rejects that characterization — claiming a less inept early handling of the political disinformation threat.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Minson has been using similar smartphone technology to bring a less costly early warning system to Chile.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Minson has been using similar smartphone technology to bring a less costly early warning system to Chile.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

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

BMC Cancer

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.

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

Science Magazine

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

Los Angeles Times

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

The New York Times

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.

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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.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

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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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: