less commonplace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less commonplace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as frequently encountered or is more unique compared to other things. Example: "The artist's style is less commonplace, setting her apart from her contemporaries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The chances of that happening increase as the injuries depicted grow more grotesque and less commonplace.

The New York Times - Magazine

Less commonplace and more exotic was sabzi chalow ($8.95), a sautéed spinach, lamb chunks, herb, pine nut amalgam.

The New York Times

Though there were warning signs, it would have been hard to conceive in 2004 that such catastrophic flooding might become more or less commonplace.

The New York Times

Monitoring more intimate details about personal health and wellbeing is less commonplace, though that's expected to change with the spread of wearable technology.

The Guardian

The book could guide an adventurous cook in discovering less commonplace seasonings, like nigella, wattle seed and sumac, with inviting dishes like chicken baked with onions and sumac.

The New York Times - Food

Those drop-the-gloves fights that probably alienate as many casual sports fans as attract them are much less commonplace in the playoffs than in the regular season.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

More or less a commonplace book whose merit lies in its capacity to offer random delight rather than coherent argument, "The Tao of Travel" is as likely to land you with Pico Iyer as Emily Dickinson, Samuel Johnson as Bronislaw Malinowski.

The New York Times - Books

It's more or less a commonplace that everyone's a paparazzo these days – any time a public figure is in public, they can expect to be photographed and filmed, whether or not someone who makes their living by doing such things happens to be around.

The Guardian - Film

That sexualities and sexual identities are fluid, multiple and overlapping is more or less a commonplace.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

It is not that they are any less arrogant; rather, commonplace computer-manipulated photographs have made persona revisions overly familiar.

The New York Times

In that case the twist ending was plausible but it made the story commonplace and less interesting than if the twist hadn't occurred.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less commonplace" to subtly suggest exclusivity or uniqueness, enhancing the perceived value of an idea or object. For instance, describing a culinary ingredient as "less commonplace" can make a dish sound more sophisticated and appealing.

Common error

While "less commonplace" is a perfectly valid and useful phrase, avoid using it in extremely casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "unusual" or "rare" might be more appropriate and sound more natural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less commonplace" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that something is not as frequently encountered or as ordinary as other things. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less commonplace" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates something is not as ordinary or frequently encountered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly news, media, and scientific writing. When aiming to convey uniqueness or infrequency, "less commonplace" stands out. While suitable for many situations, simpler terms like "unusual" or "rare" may be more fitting in casual settings. Alternatives like "more unusual" or "less ordinary" offer similar meanings. Understanding these nuances will allow for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unusual

Emphasizes the rarity and deviation from the norm.

more atypical

Highlights the deviation from a typical instance.

less ordinary

Focuses on the departure from the average or mundane.

less frequent

Indicates a lower rate of occurrence.

less conventional

Highlights the deviation from accepted norms or standards.

more scarce

Stresses the limited availability or presence.

more rare

Emphasizes the infrequency of something.

less typical

Highlights the departure from a standard or expected example.

less customary

Focuses on the deviation from established practices.

less prevalent

Indicates a lower degree of widespread existence or occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "less commonplace" to describe something that is not frequently encountered. For example, "The use of renewable energy sources is becoming "more commonplace", but electric cars are still "less commonplace"."

What are some alternatives to "less commonplace"?

Alternatives include "more unusual", "less ordinary", or "less frequent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "less commonplace" or "more uncommon"?

Both "less commonplace" and "more uncommon" convey a similar meaning. "Less commonplace" might sound slightly more formal, while "more uncommon" is generally straightforward. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "less commonplace" and "rare"?

"Less commonplace" suggests something is not frequently encountered, while "rare" implies that something is seldom found or seen. "Rare" often carries a stronger sense of infrequency than "less commonplace".