less common

USAGE SUMMARY

"less common" is a perfectly valid and acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to denote something that is not as frequent or common as something else. For example, you might say: "I prefer to read books that are less common; they often have more interesting stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Confessions are less common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's less common.

The New York Times - Health

Structural reform was less common.

The Economist

This is now less common.

The Economist

What of less common creeds?

The Economist

Salary increases have also become less common.

The New York Times

Severe forms of illness are less common.

The New York Times

That's less common than carpetbagging, though.

The New York Times - Arts

Subirrigation is a less common method.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today, that is much less common.

The Economist

References to recycled water are less common.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less common" to introduce a contrasting element or a deviation from a general trend or expectation to create a more interesting or nuanced narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "less common" without clearly establishing what the alternative or more common scenario is. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less common" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun by indicating that it occurs or exists with a lower frequency compared to something else. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a valid phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that indicates something is not as prevalent or frequent as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression in English, suitable for a wide range of contexts. It is found across diverse domains, as Ludwig examples confirm, including news, science, encyclopedias, and wikis, serving to differentiate and qualify by highlighting relative infrequency. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context for what is considered common to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity. Common alternatives include "less frequent" and "rarer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as common

Employs a slightly more verbose structure to express the same idea.

less frequent

Replaces "common" with "frequent", focusing on the rate of occurrence.

less prevalent

Substitutes "common" with "prevalent", emphasizing widespread existence.

less usual

Replaces "common" with "usual", stressing deviation from what is generally expected.

less typical

Replaces "common" with "typical", highlighting deviations from the norm.

infrequent

Offers a single-word alternative denoting a lack of frequency.

rarer

Uses a shorter, more direct term to indicate reduced occurrence.

less widespread

Emphasizes the limited geographic distribution or reach.

less often encountered

Focuses on the experience of encountering something, rather than its overall frequency.

not as frequently seen

Highlights the visual aspect of encountering something less often.

FAQs

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

You can use "less common" to describe something that occurs or exists with lower frequency compared to something else. For example, "While fever is a common symptom, a rash is "less common"."

What is a good substitute for "less common"?

Alternatives for "less common" include "less frequent", "rarer", or "not as common". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "less common" or "fewer common"?

"Less common" is the correct phrase. "Fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is used for uncountable nouns and abstract concepts like commonality.

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

"Less common" implies a comparison to something more frequent, while "uncommon" simply indicates that something is not typical or usual without necessarily making a direct comparison. Think of "less common" as an explicit comparison while the term "uncommon" is just a description.