less dominant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less dominant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has less power or influence than something else. For example: The less dominant political party in the country has been struggling to get its ideas heard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arts and Crafts is less dominant than in years past.

The New York Times - Arts

But cash will start to become less dominant.

MIT Technology Review

And in South Asia, social insurance is far less dominant.

The Economist

Its female swimmers and distance runners have been far less dominant since the mid-1990's.

The New York Times - Sports

You have the sense, though, that even intact, he would be the less dominant figure.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think the car this year was less dominant than the car last year.

The Guardian - Sport

While this group remains powerful, they are somewhat less dominant after Tuesday than they were before.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the years, religion has played a less dominant role in public culture.

The New York Times

Westminster would remain the heart of the British polity, but a slightly less dominant one.

The Economist

The critical plane, or the crack initiation plane, is parallel to the less dominant direction.

International Journal of Fatigue

Not every disparate power dynamic in every relationship means that the less dominant party was coerced into it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less dominant", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the subject is less dominant than to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less dominant" when "non-dominant" or "alternative" is more accurate. "Less dominant" implies a scale, while other terms might indicate a completely different role or characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less dominant" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating a reduced level of dominance relative to something else. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in various contexts, from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Arts

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less dominant" is a versatile comparative adjective used to describe a reduced level of influence, power, or prevalence. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse fields such as news, science, and sports. When using "less dominant", clarity is key; ensure you specify what the subject is less dominant than. As Ludwig AI points out, it's important to distinguish between "less dominant" and terms like "non-dominant", which indicate a complete absence of dominance rather than a reduced degree. Remember to consider context and choose the most accurate term for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less prevalent

Focuses on decreased prevalence or commonness.

less influential

Highlights a reduction in impact or sway.

less powerful

Emphasizes a decrease in strength or authority.

less significant

Indicates reduced importance or consequence.

subordinate

Highlights a lower rank or position.

secondary

Suggests a role that is not primary or main.

minor

Implies a smaller scale or degree.

weaker

Focuses on reduced physical or metaphorical strength.

diminished

Highlights a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

in the minority

Suggests being part of a smaller group or having less representation.

FAQs

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

You can use "less dominant" to describe something that has reduced power, influence, or prevalence compared to something else. For instance, "The smaller company played a "less dominant" role in the market after the merger".

What are some alternatives to using "less dominant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "less prevalent", "less influential", or "subordinate".

Is it correct to say "least dominant" instead of "less dominant"?

While "least dominant" is grammatically correct, it implies being the absolute weakest or having the smallest influence among a group. "Less dominant" simply means having reduced power or influence compared to something else, without necessarily being the weakest.

What's the difference between "less dominant" and "non-dominant"?

"Less dominant" suggests a reduced degree of power or influence on a scale, whereas "non-dominant" indicates an absence of dominance altogether. For example, a ""less dominant"" species might still exert some influence, while a "non-dominant" one likely has very little.