less numerous

USAGE SUMMARY

"less numerous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has decreased in number, quantity, or amount, either compared to a previous state or to a similar thing. For example, "The number of fish in the lake is less numerous than it was five years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Comparisons

Statistical Analysis

Descriptive Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Forest reindeer are much less numerous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just a lot less numerous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will they be more or less numerous?

The Washington Post

Germany's Bundelsiga is not so rich, its imports less numerous.

The New York Times - Sports

And the flies and rats could be, well, less numerous.

The New York Times

Liturgical art works are less numerous, but no less beautiful.

The New Yorker

"Belarus-produced books have no chance, as they're more expensive and less numerous," says Kastiukevich.

The Guardian

That the "Lulu" audience is less numerous and more localized does not lessen the piece's importance.

The New York Times - Arts

And even if less numerous, the new militants appear highly motivated.

The Guardian

In the context of this case, separating the parties meant escorting away the less numerous group.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The lower classes and freed slaves, however, seem to have been enrolled mostly in the less-numerous urban tribes.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing countable items, ensure you're using "fewer" rather than "less". While "less numerous" is generally correct, "fewer" is more precise when dealing with discrete entities. For example, "There are fewer cars on the road today."

Common error

Avoid using "less" when you should use "fewer". "Less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), while "fewer" is for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer cars"). Although "less numerous" is accepted, always consider if "fewer" is a more appropriate substitute in your sentence to improve clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less numerous" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun has a smaller quantity or number compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples, indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less numerous" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative adjective phrase that indicates a smaller quantity or number. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile, appearing in various contexts from news to scientific literature. While it is generally considered neutral in tone, remember to consider if "fewer in number" might be a more precise substitute when referring to countable items. The phrase is widely understood and accepted, making it a reliable choice for conveying quantitative comparisons in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer in number

This alternative directly replaces "less numerous" with "fewer in number", emphasizing the numerical aspect.

scarcer

This is a more concise and direct way of saying "less numerous", implying a limited availability.

smaller in quantity

This alternative focuses on the quantity rather than the specific count, making it suitable for uncountable items.

not as many

This is a more informal way of expressing "less numerous", suitable for casual contexts.

in smaller amounts

This alternative is suitable when referring to quantities that can be measured rather than counted.

lower in count

This option highlights the numerical aspect, similar to "fewer in number", but is slightly less common.

diminished in number

This alternative conveys a sense of gradual reduction, suggesting a decline over time.

in short supply

This alternative emphasizes the scarcity or limited availability of something.

reduced in size

While "less numerous" refers to count, "reduced in size" implies a decrease in physical dimensions or scope.

relatively sparse

This alternative is used to describe a situation where the number or density of something is low compared to what is expected or common.

FAQs

When should I use "less" versus "fewer"?

Use "less" for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water", "less time") and "fewer" for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer cars", "fewer people"). "Less numerous" is acceptable, but consider if "fewer in number" would be more appropriate for countable items.

What are some alternatives to saying "less numerous"?

You can use alternatives like "fewer in number", "smaller in quantity", or "scarcer" depending on the context.

Is "less numerous" formal or informal?

"Less numerous" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, "fewer in number" might be preferred for countable items.

How does "less numerous" compare to "not as many"?

"Not as many" is a more informal way to express the same idea as "less numerous". While both indicate a smaller quantity, "less numerous" is slightly more formal and often used in descriptive or analytical writing, whereas "not as many" is more common in everyday conversation.