less commonly than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less commonly than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the frequency of two actions or occurrences, indicating that one happens with less frequency than the other. Example: "Cats are less commonly than dogs found in urban areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

MDMA overdose can be fatal, although perhaps less commonly than media reports on MDMA deaths might suggest.

The Guardian

No one keeps records of the number of rejections, but in Mr. Weinstein's experience, they occur less commonly than rejections by lending institutions.

The New York Times

A report in 2011 by the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, a joint UN/World Bank project, noted that trusts crop up less commonly than shell companies in corruption investigations.

The Economist

Girls attended school less commonly than boys in Arab countries.

Wikipedia

The species is considered to be good-tasting, and its eggs have been used as caviar, although less commonly than those of many other sturgeon.

Wikipedia

We found that seropositioning was reported relatively less commonly than serosorting in EXPLORE, as was also seen in the Australian cohort[16].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

However, despite the high level of production and use of DEHP, the urinary MEHP levels in the NHANES samples were lower than the monoester metabolites of phthalates less commonly used than DEHP, suggesting metabolic differences between phthalates.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Active vibration isolation systems are less commonly used than passive systems due to their associated cost and power requirements.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

It is less commonly grown than Banksia serrata.

Wikipedia

Four syllables, /i/, /a/, /u/, /ma/, are less commonly doubled than chance would dictate.

Wikipedia

These super AGB stars may form the majority of core collapse supernovae, although less luminous and so less commonly observed than those from more massive progenitors.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less commonly than", ensure the comparison is clear and the two items being compared are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less commonly than" when you intend to express a difference in kind rather than frequency. Ensure the items being compared are of the same type and the context genuinely involves differing frequencies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less commonly than" functions as an adverbial comparative phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or state occurs with lower frequency in comparison to something else. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less commonly than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression for indicating that one thing occurs less often compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the comparison is explicit and that you are indeed contrasting frequencies rather than other attributes. Alternatives like "not as frequently as" or "less often than" can be used for similar effect. Remember to avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying the items being compared and ensure the context is appropriate for frequency comparisons. With these considerations, "less commonly than" provides a clear and effective way to communicate relative infrequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less often than

Uses 'often' instead of 'commonly', implying a lower occurrence rate.

not as frequently as

Uses a different structure to express lower frequency; more formal.

more rarely than

Emphasizes the infrequency using 'rarely'.

to a lesser extent than

More formal and emphasizes the degree of difference.

not as much as

Broader comparison that can apply to frequency or quantity.

in fewer instances than

Focuses on the number of occurrences.

less widely than

Indicates that something is not as widespread or prevalent.

less generally than

Implies a narrower scope or application.

in a minority of cases compared to

Highlights the smaller proportion of occurrences.

not as usual as

Compares to what is typical or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "less commonly than" in a sentence?

You can use "less commonly than" to compare the frequency of two events or occurrences, indicating that one happens to a smaller degree compared to the other. For example: 'Online courses are "less commonly than" traditional classes in some rural areas'.

What's a formal alternative to "less commonly than"?

A more formal alternative to "less commonly than" is "to a lesser extent than". For example: 'The resource is utilized "to a lesser extent than" previously thought'.

Is "less commonly than" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less commonly than" is grammatically correct. It is used to accurately compare the frequency of two separate entities.

What's the difference between "less commonly than" and "less frequently than"?

The phrases "less commonly than" and "less frequently than" are very similar and often interchangeable. While both emphasize a difference in occurrence rates, "less commonly than" might suggest a broader sense of general prevalence while "less frequently than" highlights a difference in repeated occurrences. 'He visits "less frequently than" before' vs. 'This method is "less commonly than" the other'.