What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
less
Example
I have less money than I did last month. [less: determiner]
Example
She is less tall than her sister. [less: comparative adjective]
Example
The storm caused less damage than we expected. [less: adverb]
smaller
Example
The toy car is smaller than the real car. [smaller: comparative adjective]
Example
I need a smaller shirt because this one is too big. [smaller: adjective]
Example
The company had a smaller office before they expanded. [smaller: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Less is more commonly used than smaller in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between less and smaller?
Less is more formal than smaller, which is more casual and conversational. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
