less common than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less common than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the frequency or prevalence of two items, indicating that one is not as frequently encountered as the other. Example: "The blue whale is less common than the humpback whale in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's less common than carpetbagging, though.

The New York Times - Arts

They're less common than Androids.

Stanford University

His 5... ed6 is less common than 5... cd6.

The New York Times

1. They're less common than you think.

Harvard University

It is much less common than epididymitis.

Harvard University

That's less common than you might think.

The New York Times

Anterior pituitary dysfunctions are much less common than DI.

Stanford University

The relationships may be less common than reported.

The New York Times - Health

In Europe, tipping is less common than in the U.S.

Harvard Business Review

Tuberculosis was less common than it was to become.

Britannica

Posterior dislocations are much less common than anterior dislocations.

Orthopedic Clinics of North America

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the frequency of two things, ensure that the comparison is clear and unambiguous. Avoid vague language that could lead to misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the reader understands the context of your comparison. Clearly state what is being compared and the specific situation in which one is "less common than" the other. If not the reader might not be sure exactly what you are trying to say.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less common than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun by indicating that it occurs or exists with a lower frequency compared to another noun. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less common than" is a versatile and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate that something occurs less frequently compared to something else. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It enjoys widespread use across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While interchangeable with alternatives such as "not as frequent as" or "more rare than", it is important to ensure the comparison is clear and unambiguous to prevent misinterpretations. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as frequent as

Emphasizes the lower frequency directly, differing in structure.

more rare than

Uses "rare" to highlight scarcity, changing the emphasis slightly.

occurs less often than

Focuses on the occurrence rate, using different verbs.

is seen less frequently than

Highlights the observation aspect, altering the perspective.

is not as prevalent as

Replaces "common" with "prevalent", indicating widespread existence.

is subordinate to

Implies a lower position or importance, changing the context.

is outnumbered by

Specifically refers to numerical inferiority.

is second to

Suggests a ranking or order of importance.

pales in comparison to

Highlights the relative insignificance of one item.

is overshadowed by

Implies that one item is less noticeable due to another.

FAQs

How do I use "less common than" in a sentence?

Use "less common than" to compare the frequency or prevalence of two things. For example: "Apples are "less common than" bananas in this region."

What's a synonym for "less common than"?

Alternatives include "not as frequent as", "more rare than", or "not as prevalent as".

Which is correct, "less common than" or "not as common as"?

Both "less common than" and "not as common as" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "less common than" and "rarely seen"?

"Less common than" implies a comparison to something else, while "rarely seen" simply indicates infrequency without direct comparison. For example: "Lions are less common than zebras" vs. "Lions are rarely seen in this area."