become less attractive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become less attractive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decrease in appeal or desirability, whether in a person, object, idea, or situation. Example: "As the years went by, the once-popular trend began to become less attractive to the younger generation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some biofuels have become less attractive.

The Economist

"Progressively, we will become less attractive.

The Guardian - Business

What I do think would happen is that marriage might become less attractive for heterosexual couples.

The New Yorker

New mines become less attractive when markets drop, so capital spending falls.

The Economist

Historically, when that ratio dips below 50 percent, dividend-paying stocks become less attractive.

The New York Times

Mr. Yu said that China has become less attractive to speculators.

The New York Times

"New York has become less attractive to him than formerly, less urbane," Taylor says.

The Guardian - Books

Because stock dividends would become more attractive to investors, all interest income could become less attractive.

The New York Times

Now, with a chronic oversupply and low prices, tar sands have become less attractive.

The Guardian

And mobile ad startups that are currently independent, like JumpTap for example, may become less attractive to potential acquirers.

The New York Times

But religious vocations have become less attractive, and parochial schools have faced increasing competition from charter schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become less attractive", ensure the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the decline in appeal. For instance, specify whether you are discussing a product, a person, or an idea.

Common error

Avoid using "become less attractive" when describing something that was never attractive to begin with. The phrase implies a decline from a previous state of attractiveness, not a lack of initial appeal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become less attractive" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual decline in appeal or desirability. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become less attractive" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a decline in appeal or desirability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media and scientific publications. Alternative phrases like "lose appeal" or "decline in appeal" can be used for variety, but "become less attractive" remains a clear and effective choice. Remember to use it when describing something that genuinely experiences a reduction in attractiveness over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose appeal

Focuses on the loss of appeal rather than the process of becoming less attractive.

diminish in attractiveness

Uses a more formal tone by using "diminish" and the noun form "attractiveness".

wane in popularity

Specifically refers to a decline in popularity, applicable when discussing trends or widespread appeal.

decline in appeal

Emphasizes the declining nature of the appeal.

fade in desirability

Highlights the fading aspect of desirability.

grow less appealing

Emphasizes the gradual process of losing appeal.

start to pall

Suggests a more subtle and gradual loss of appeal, often due to overexposure.

turn off

A more direct and informal way of saying something is losing its appeal.

cease to entice

A formal way of saying that something no longer attracts or tempts.

fall out of favor

Indicates a loss of approval or preference.

FAQs

How can I use "become less attractive" in a sentence?

You can use "become less attractive" to describe a decline in appeal. For example, "As newer technologies emerged, older models "become less attractive" to consumers".

What's a more formal alternative to "become less attractive"?

A more formal alternative would be "diminish in attractiveness", which uses more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is it correct to say "became less attractive" instead of "become less attractive"?

Yes, "became less attractive" is the past tense form. The correct tense depends on the context of your sentence. Use "became" for past events and "become" for present or general statements.

How does "lose appeal" differ from "become less attractive"?

"Lose appeal" suggests a more immediate or complete loss of attractiveness, while "become less attractive" suggests a gradual decline.