far less often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far less often" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs significantly less frequently compared to another reference point. Example: "She travels for work, but she goes to the office far less often than she used to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He worked far less often.

The Guardian

But it's far less often.

The Washington Post

This happens far less often than you might expect.

The New York Times

Aggressive acceleration is needed far less often in encounters in the city's stressful traffic circles.

The New York Times

And lately she writes far less often about her oldest daughter, Leta.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has also shuffled the cabinet far less often than the LDP used to do.

The Economist

But over all, these cameras will disappoint or frustrate you far less often.

The New York Times

Women in their 40s still have children far less often than younger women.

The New York Times

Sometimes the phrase is warranted for emphasis or, far less often, as a sly comment.

The New York Times

Among all this, and mentioned far less often than the money, are some ethical considerations.

The Guardian - Sport

The fear persists even though planes crash far less often than cars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far less often" to emphasize a notable decline in the frequency of an action or event compared to a previous state or another reference point. It's effective for highlighting significant changes or differences.

Common error

Avoid using "far less often" in casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "not as much" or "rarely" would be more appropriate. Reserve it for situations requiring a more formal and emphatic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far less often" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the frequency of an action. Ludwig's examples show how it's used to express that something happens with significantly reduced frequency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far less often" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to emphasize a notable decrease in the frequency of an event or action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and usable in written English. It is prevalent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and emphasis. While simpler alternatives exist for casual settings, "far less often" effectively highlights significant reductions in frequency across various scenarios, as exemplified by the diverse range of examples found by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much less frequently

Indicates a decrease in frequency, emphasizing the extent of the reduction.

considerably less often

Highlights a significant reduction in the frequency of an event or action.

significantly less often

Emphasizes the notable decrease in how often something happens.

substantially less often

Indicates a large difference in frequency.

noticeably less often

Implies the decrease in frequency is easily observed.

markedly less often

Suggests a distinct change in how frequently something occurs.

appreciably less often

Conveys that the reduction in frequency is measurable or significant.

infrequently

A single-word alternative that captures the essence of rarely happening.

not nearly as often

Expresses that something happens to a much smaller degree than something else.

nowhere near as often

Similar to "not nearly as often", but with even stronger emphasis on the disparity in frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "far less often" in a sentence?

Use "far less often" to indicate that something occurs much less frequently than it used to, or in comparison to something else. For example: "She visits her hometown "far less often" now that she lives abroad".

What phrases are similar to "far less often"?

You can use phrases like "much less frequently", "considerably less often", or "significantly less often" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "less often" or "far less often"?

"Far less often" is more emphatic than "less often". Use "far less often" when you want to highlight a substantial difference in frequency. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Can "far less often" be used in both formal and informal writing?

While grammatically correct in both contexts, "far less often" is generally more suited for formal writing or situations where you want to emphasize a significant decrease in frequency. Simpler alternatives are often preferred in informal settings.