much less

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used after a negative statement to add something even more extreme or unlikely that is also not true.

   Grammar: Comes after a negative clause and introduces a noun phrase or bare verb: I can't run a mile, much less a marathon.

   Patterns

   • can't do something, much less something
   • never did something, much less something

   She barely has time to eat lunch, much less cook a full dinner.

   He never learned to swim, much less sail a boat.

   The team couldn't win a single game, much less the championship.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   A large amount less; used before 'than' to compare amounts.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'than': There is much less traffic than yesterday.

   Patterns

   • much less than something
   • much less of something

   This phone costs much less than the one I bought last year.

   There is much less noise in the countryside than in the city.

   I have much less free time now that I have a job.

Common combinations

much less than

The final bill was much less than we expected.

much less likely

Accidents are much less likely if you drive slowly.

much less expensive

Renting a bike is much less expensive than taking taxis.

much less of a problem

After the update, the bug is much less of a problem.

Synonyms and how they differ

let alone

Means the same and is more common in everyday speech; 'much less' sounds a little more formal or emphatic.

never mind

Can introduce a similar stronger case, but it is more conversational and can also mean 'don't worry about it'.

Opposites

Commonly confused: much less or much more?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “much less”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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