were applied less vs were less applied

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'Were applied less' implies that something was used or implemented to a lesser extent, while 'were less applied' suggests that the action of applying something occurred to a lesser degree. The choice between the two depends on the intended emphasis in the context.

Last updated: March 17, 2024

were applied less

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that something was used or implemented to a lesser extent.

Examples:

The new regulations were applied less strictly than the previous ones.
The paint was applied less evenly on this wall.

Show examples from the web [+]

... in some well-established constructions where fewer would occur if the traditional rule were applied. Less than can be used before a plural noun that denotes a ...
previous studies showed a significant drop in wheat yield when N rates were applied less than 60% of recommendations. Therefore, the base rates for this study ...
Among our respondents, reframing and dissociation were applied less by cyberbullying victims and were also less emotionally helpful for them. It seems that ...
... in some well-established constructions where fewer would occur if the traditional rule were applied. Less than can be used before a plural noun that denotes a ...

Alternatives:

were used less
were implemented to a lesser degree
were enforced less

were less applied

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to suggest that the action of applying something occurred to a lesser degree.

Examples:

The sunscreen was less applied than recommended.
The treatment was less applied in rural areas.

Show examples from the web [+]

... autonomous life of the island, the Forum lost its legislative powers to the Republic's Council in 1486, and the old regulations of the Statute were less applied.
There were a few people with backgrounds that were less applied such as Alex Himonas (Regularity Theory for Partial Differential Equations) and Maurice ...
Quantitative methodologies were less applied among the selected publications. Four publications utilized data mining techniques, four utilized surveys and two ...
This might be explained that control programs were less applied to ticks in Basrah which plays a good role in the increase of ticks populations and higher ...

Alternatives:

were applied to a lesser degree
were used to a lesser extent
were not as frequently applied

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were applied less vs were less applied