Can I say "He worked less hard than she."?

Pls do not use red. It is used to indicate corrections/errors.

OK, I've changed it to blue, thanks.

Hi Viceidol,

I wouldn't even say it the way your grammar book has it. I would say He does not work as hard as she does.

If you say "He does not work harder" then you are saying they could work equally hard, but your first sentence says that she works harder.

Your third one does not read naturally.

>I wouldn't even say it the way your grammar book has it. I would say He does not work as hard as she does.

GG's much more natural

Marius Hancu>I wouldn't even say it the way your grammar book has it. I would say He does not work as hard as she does.

GG's much more natural[:)

It just goes to show that the book (depedning on the writer) is not always the best answer. "Less hard" sounds stiff to me!

ViceidolMy grammar book says we can say "He does not work so hard as she."

But keep in mind that many grammar books advise so instead of as in the first item of comparisons when the verb is negated!

works as hard as

but

doesn't work so hard as

CJ

CJ, is that standard BrE? It sounds "old fashioned" to my American ears. I know, Califiornia is still part of the US, but you're more global than I am.

CalifJimBut keep in mind that many grammar books advise so instead of as in the first item of comparisons when the verb is negated!

Yeah, I learned something similar too. I learned that both "as... as..." and "so... as..." are ok in negative sentences. I'm not sure it's a British thing, but it might well be. All ESL grammars focus on BrE...

I went to high school in Michigan -- also part of the U.S. Thenot so ... as rule was in effect there.
Of course, we