less and less frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

'less and less frequent' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is happening less often over a period of time. For example, "The use of landlines for communication has become less and less frequent in recent years".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The judge's visits became less and less frequent, and finally they ceased altogether.

The New Yorker

But as the panic attacks became less and less frequent, I started doing cocaine again.

The Guardian

However, the use of design charts is less and less frequent.

Geotextiles and Geomembranes

Mrs. Wilson still followed the case avidly on TV, though the reports were less and less frequent.

The New Yorker

With time and effort, he says, episodes of achievement overdrive have become less and less frequent for him.

Harvard Business Review

A few brave teams based in Mexico City still travel to the border to report on drug-related violence, but their trips are becoming less and less frequent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

His aggressions became less ferocious and less frequent.

The Washington Post

Gradually, his seizures became less severe and less frequent, before disappearing altogether.

The Guardian

Oral breathing showed less severe and less frequent laryngeal hypersensitive reactions.

Journal of Voice

She still had nightmares, but they were less severe and less frequent — three times a week instead of every night.

The New Yorker

El Niño's female counterpart, La Niña a cooler sloshing from east to west is less well known, and less frequent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less and less frequent" to describe trends or changes that occur over time, indicating a gradual decrease in how often something happens. For example: "His visits became "less and less frequent" as he got older."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "less and less frequent" repeatedly in formal or scientific writing can sound redundant. Opt for more concise alternatives like "decreasingly frequent" or "declining regularity" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less and less frequent" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how the frequency of an action, event, or state is changing over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate a gradual decline in occurrence. It modifies verbs or verb phrases to provide information about the diminishing rate at which something happens.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less and less frequent" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to describe a gradual decline in the occurrence of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and commonly found in news articles and other general writing, as evidenced by the diverse examples provided by Ludwig. While there might be slightly more formal alternatives suitable for academic or scientific contexts, "less and less frequent" is generally acceptable and widely understood. When writing, remember to use it to show a trend over time and consider more concise phrases for formal writing to prevent redundancy. The frequency of the contexts where is used is mainly in "News & Media" or "Science" so it's well accepted by the majority of readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasingly frequent

A more concise, single-word adverbial modifier.

happening less often

A more straightforward and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

becoming rarer

Focuses on the increasing scarcity of something.

gradually diminishing in frequency

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the decrease.

progressively less common

Highlights the ongoing shift towards uncommonness.

at longer intervals

Describes the increasing separation between occurrences.

with declining regularity

Emphasizes the decreasing regularity of an event.

decreasing in occurrence

Focuses on the reduction in the number of times something happens.

infrequent and dwindling

Combines the idea of rareness with a sense of decline.

seldom seen anymore

Implies a significant reduction to the point of near absence.

FAQs

How can I use "less and less frequent" in a sentence?

You can use "less and less frequent" to describe a gradual decline in the occurrence of something. For example: "Due to technological advancements, the use of fax machines is becoming "less and less frequent"".

What are some alternatives to "less and less frequent"?

Alternatives include "decreasingly frequent", "happening less often", or "becoming rarer" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "less frequent" or "less and less frequent"?

"Less frequent" describes a state of being uncommon, while "less and less frequent" describes a trend of declining frequency over time. The choice depends on whether you're describing a static condition or a dynamic change.

Can "less and less frequent" be used for both countable and uncountable nouns?

"Less and less frequent" is typically used with actions or events, which can be countable in terms of occurrences. For uncountable nouns, consider phrases like "less and less common".