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A Blinkin' Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

even less, or and even less?

0 How to use "even less"?02br
02br
00 He doesn't own a big house, even less a sports car.02br
00 or02br
00 He doesn't own a big house, and even less a sports car.02br
00 or02br
00 They weren't born in the same year, even less born in the same month, but they look like twins.0-
  

Top answer

0 In those contexts "even less" is a comparative phrase. I find that including "and" in any of the above suggests a new clause in the sentence, therefore not a clause that is comparable to the initial one. 0-

— Ryanz0r

  • 0 In those contexts "even less" is a comparative phrase.
  • I find that including "and" in any of the above suggests a new clause in the sentence, therefore not a clause that is comparable to the initial one.
  • 0-
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5 Answers
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0 In those contexts "even less" is a comparative phrase. I find that including "and" in any of the above suggests a new clause in the sentence, therefore not a clause that is comparable to the initial one. With that in mind, I'd say that the first and final sentences are more acceptable, as the second one appears more accurate with "and" omitted.0-
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0 01blockquote
00How to use "even less"?12br
10He doesn't own a big house, even less a sports car.12br
10or12br
10They weren't born in the same year, even less born in the same month, but they look like twins.12br
12blockquote
10I feel "not to mention" will be better fit to your sentences.02br
00 H
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0 could one say:02br
00 We cannot believe Bush's statements about Iraq, and even less Cheney's.02br
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00 would even less ever be used by and?02br
02br
00 for example,02br
00 This is not completely because he is lazy but because he does not have any ability, and even less does he understand how to play the game.0-
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0I think you are mixed up with the expression “much less” with "even less" which means “not to mention".02br
02br
02br
02br
00She can’t even iron her own clothes, 01font00much less02font00 cooking her own food. 02br
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00He can’t even speak properly in his 00own tongue00, 01font
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0 I agree. You can use "even less" in that way.02br
02br
00(EX) I am not good at speaking English, and even less (=much worse) at writing.02br
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00paco 0-
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