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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less appearance
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less appearance" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a reduction in visibility or presence, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "The new design aims for less appearance of clutter on the page."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
Why not in the publisher's office, where there would be less appearance of impropriety?
News & Media
No. 1 was, "Larry King has had marriages that didn't last this long," which perhaps means that Isner has one less appearance with which to concern himself.
News & Media
Difficulties from characteristics of target objects: Less appearance information (just a bright spot or tiny object).
This may especially be the case for older males who are less appearance conscious and thus are less likely to be motivated to engage in health behaviors for appearance reasons [ 43, 44] and who may also see sunscreen use as feminine [ 45].
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
For variations with 15 or less appearances in the combined data set, including the data from both the GenBank and Phylotree databases, the possibility that the individual sequences could be linked to mitochondrial disease was investigated, by inspecting the related publication sources.
Science
But the kitchen otherwise demonstrated impressive care — and had terrific success — with seafood, whether it was sweet, tender poached lobster in a foamy grapefruit sauce or seared black cod, making a rare miso-less appearance on a Manhattan menu.
News & Media
A scene between Skinner and The Smoking Man was removed from the final cut due to time considerations, reducing his role in the episode to a very short dialogue-less appearance.
Wiki
On the other hand, EB outgrowths cultured in the presence of Dox showed a less heterogeneous appearance and beating cells did not appear.
Science
Alan Davidson points out that Ashkenazi food has a "less sparkling appearance" than its Mediterraneanised cousin.
News & Media
All that in addition to her significant if less central appearance in the Spielberg film.
News & Media
Tumours with cells that have a less unusual appearance have a much better prognosis.
Encyclopedias
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "diminished visibility" or "reduced presence" for better clarity and acceptance.
Common error
Avoid using the phrase "less appearance" in formal writing. While understandable, it's not grammatically standard. Use better alternatives like "less visible" or "reduced visibility" to avoid sounding awkward.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less appearance" functions as a noun phrase intended to express a decrease in visibility or prominence. While Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect, its presence in diverse sources suggests an attempt to convey a specific meaning, albeit in a non-standard way. The contexts suggest an attempt to convey concepts related to prominence or visibility.
Frequent in
Science
37%
News & Media
34%
Wiki
9%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "less appearance" is an interesting case. While Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, it surfaces in a significant number of sources, particularly in news, science and wiki contexts. This suggests that while not standard, it's used to convey a reduction in visibility, prominence, or general noticeability. It's crucial to recognize its non-standard nature and opt for clearer alternatives such as "reduced visibility" or "diminished presence" for improved clarity and acceptance. Although some sources, like the "The New York Times", use the phrase, it's important to consider that the meaning can be ambiguous and the grammatical status can be disputed. Therefore, favor alternatives for better written content.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
diminished visibility
Focuses on the reduction in how clearly something can be seen.
reduced presence
Emphasizes the decrease in being present or noticeable.
decreased visibility
Similar to diminished visibility, but perhaps more literal.
subdued aspect
Highlights a less intense or prominent visual quality.
muted look
Suggests a softened or less vibrant visual impression.
minimized presence
Implies active reduction of being noticeable.
weaker impression
Focuses on the reduced impact or effect created.
slighter semblance
Indicates a fainter or more subtle outward show.
less prominence
Highlights a reduced level of standing out or being important.
lower profile
Suggests a deliberate effort to be less conspicuous.
FAQs
Is "less appearance" grammatically correct?
While understandable, "less appearance" is not considered standard English. It's better to use alternatives like /s/reduced+visibility or /s/diminished+presence depending on the context.
What are some alternatives to "less appearance"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like /s/reduced+visibility, /s/diminished+presence, or /s/subdued+aspect to convey a similar meaning.
How can I use "reduced visibility" in a sentence?
"Reduced visibility" can be used in sentences like: "The fog caused reduced visibility on the highway." or "The new design aims for /s/less+appearance of clutter on the page and provides reduced visibility instead".
What's the difference between "less appearance" and "reduced visibility"?
"Less appearance" is not grammatically standard and is less clear. "Reduced visibility" is a grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase to describe a decrease in how clearly something can be seen.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested