but are less common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but are less common" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two or more items, indicating that one is not as frequently encountered as the other. Example: "Some species of birds are well-known, but are less common in urban areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

(There are examples of women beating up men. They, too, are wrong but are less common).

The Guardian

Lower-speed motors can be constructed with more poles but are less common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three-wall courts also permit more spectators to view matches but are less common and are not standardized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Interactive graphics that allow readers to delve into a story's underlying data are frequent features on websites such as those of the New York Times and fivethirtyeight.com, but are less common in scientific publishing.

Nature

First, note that for most applications an AGC system with closed-loop feedback (see in Figure 3) is used to settle the output signal amplitude to the desired level; feed-forward loops also exist but are less common.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

These spiralling columns of air are frequently developed within tropical areas close to the equator, but are less common within areas of high latitude.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This is common practice in road construction, for example, but is less common in RE.

Construction and Building Materials

CME and periphlebitis can be seen in patients with npAIR but is less common with CAR.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Mutation of the K-ras oncogene frequently occurs in borderline ovarian tumors, but is less common in invasive epithelial ovarian cancers.

Duke University

Cystoid macular edema (CME) has been reported in patients with non-paraneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy (npAIR) but is less common with CAR [2].

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Scale loss occurs frequently among cypriniform fishes, i.e., fishes related to carp and zebrafish, but is less common in other fishes.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but are less common", ensure that the contrast being made is clear and that the items being compared are of the same category for logical consistency. For example, "While dogs are common pets, cats are less common in some regions."

Common error

Avoid using "but are less common" to compare unrelated items. For instance, saying "Apples are fruits, but are less common than honesty" is illogical because fruits and abstract concepts cannot be directly compared in terms of commonality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but are less common" functions as a conjunctive phrase used to introduce a contrast by indicating that something occurs with lower frequency than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but are less common" serves as a valuable tool for comparing the frequency of two distinct subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It functions as a conjunctive phrase to introduce a contrast, highlighting relative differences in prevalence across various domains. Predominantly found in science and news media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When incorporating "but are less common" in your writing, make sure to logically relate the items being contrasted to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but are not as common

Replaces "less" with "not as", maintaining the same meaning with slightly different phrasing.

but are less frequent

Substitutes "common" with "frequent", indicating a lower rate of occurrence.

but are not as frequent

Combines both "not as" and "frequent" for a slightly varied expression.

but are rarer

Uses the adjective "rarer" to denote a lower prevalence.

but are not as prevalent

Replaces "common" with "prevalent", emphasizing the extent of something's existence.

but are less typical

Substitutes "common" with "typical", indicating a deviation from the norm.

but are less usual

Uses "usual" in place of "common", focusing on the expected occurrence.

but are less often seen

Emphasizes the visual aspect of encountering something less frequently.

but are less widely used

Focuses on the extent of application or implementation.

but are in the minority

Indicates that the subject is present, but in a smaller proportion.

FAQs

How can I use "but are less common" in a sentence?

Use "but are less common" to contrast the frequency of one thing compared to another. For example, "While dogs are a popular pet, cats "but are less common" in some households".

What's a good alternative to "but are less common"?

Alternatives include "but are rarer", "but are less frequent", or "but are not as common", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but are less common"?

Yes, "but are less common" is grammatically correct. It's used to show a contrast in frequency or prevalence between two subjects.

What's the difference between "but are less common" and "but are uncommon"?

"But are less common" implies a direct comparison, indicating something is not as frequently encountered. "But are uncommon" simply states that something is not frequently encountered without direct comparison. For example, "Classical music concerts are less common than pop concerts" versus "Unicorn sightings are uncommon".