is less familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is less familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not well-known or recognized compared to something else. Example: "This concept is less familiar to most people than the more commonly discussed theories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Because the term "bangers" is less familiar in Australia, this lack of familiarity in Australia will be taken into account and the term "boobs" may be substituted in some advertising".

Independent

The third force is less familiar.

The Economist

Mifune's story is less familiar.

The New York Times - Books

Adam's architecture is less familiar.

The New York Times - Arts

Obama's landscape is less familiar.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her performance work, which now exists only as documentation, is less familiar.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless, the journey from Paris to Cognac is less familiar than many.

Independent

Or is it simply that he is less familiar with the female canon?

The Guardian - Books

— for animal surgery is less familiar than that for bike tires.

The New York Times - Magazine

What is less familiar is the museum's cache of antique textiles.

The New York Times - Arts

Path is less familiar, but it would be an integral ingredient for Apple's push into social media.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is less familiar", clearly establish what it is being compared to. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is less familiar" without specifying what it is less familiar than. Without a clear point of comparison, the phrase loses its meaning and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less familiar" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something by indicating that it possesses a lower degree of familiarity compared to something else. As Ludwig AI states, this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

28%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is less familiar" serves as a useful tool for expressing relative unfamiliarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. As shown by the numerous examples, it is particularly common in news and media outlets and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: be sure to specify what the subject is less familiar than to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "is not as familiar" or "is relatively unknown" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not as familiar

Rephrases using "not as" for a slightly more direct comparison.

is less well-known

Similar in meaning, emphasizing a lack of popularity.

is relatively unknown

Focuses on the lack of widespread knowledge.

is not widely recognized

Highlights the lack of recognition or acknowledgement.

is somewhat obscure

Suggests something is not easily discovered or understood.

is not commonly encountered

Suggests infrequent exposure or experience.

lacks general awareness

Emphasizes a lack of public consciousness.

is outside the mainstream

Highlights that something is not part of the common experience.

is a niche concept

Indicates the concept is specific and limited to a particular group.

is unconventional

Highlights a departure from standard norms or practices.

FAQs

How to use "is less familiar" in a sentence?

Use "is less familiar" to indicate that something is not as well-known or commonly experienced as something else. For example, "This author's early work is less familiar than her later novels."

What can I say instead of "is less familiar"?

You can use alternatives like "is not as familiar", "is relatively unknown", or "is less well-known" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is less familiar" or "is least familiar"?

"Is less familiar" is used to compare two things, while "is least familiar" is used to indicate the item that is the most unknown among a group of three or more. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "is less familiar" and "is unfamiliar"?

"Is less familiar" implies a comparison to something else that is more familiar. "Is unfamiliar", on the other hand, simply indicates a lack of familiarity without a direct comparison.