less often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'less often' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a smaller frequency of occurrence than usual, for example, "I go to the gym less often now than I used to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less often.

The New Yorker

Streets are repaved less often.

The New York Times

Less often mentioned is money.

The New York Times - Tech

Much, much less often.

The Guardian

Moved less often?

The New York Times - Magazine

And it happens much less often.

The New York Times

Garbage would be collected less often.

The New York Times

Hallucinations are usually visual, less often auditory.

Britannica

Her strengths are less often acknowledged.

The New Yorker

This might happen somewhat less often.

The Economist

Other phrases are heard far less often.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less often" to clearly indicate a decrease in the frequency of an action or event. For example, "I visit my family less often since I moved to a new city."

Common error

Avoid using "less often" when you specifically mean a smaller number of distinct instances. "Less often" is generally used for frequency, while "fewer times" emphasizes the count of separate events. For example, say "I went to the movies fewer times this year" instead of "I went to the movies less often this year" if you want to emphasize the number of visits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less often" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency with which an action or event occurs. It modifies verbs or clauses to express a reduced rate of occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less often" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a decrease in the frequency of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from formal writing to casual conversation. The frequency analysis shows that it appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", but is also present in "Wiki" and other domains. When using "less often", be mindful of its distinction from "fewer times", which refers to a specific number of occurrences rather than a general reduction in frequency. Alternatives like "more infrequently" or "more seldom" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More seldom

This substitutes a less common synonym for "often", maintaining a similar meaning.

Not as frequently

This phrase uses a negative construction to indicate a lower rate of occurrence.

Less regularly

This emphasizes the lack of a consistent pattern, implying reduced frequency.

More infrequently

This alternative uses a more formal vocabulary to express reduced frequency.

In fewer instances

This focuses on the quantity of occurrences being reduced, maintaining the core meaning.

On fewer occasions

This highlights the reduced number of instances or times something happens.

At a lower rate

This phrase focuses on the reduced speed or frequency at which something occurs.

To a lesser extent

This phrase suggests a diminished degree or amount of something happening.

To a smaller degree

Highlights a reduced level or intensity of the action, implying reduced frequency.

Not as much

This alternative is a more concise way to express that something happens to a smaller degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "less often" to indicate that an action or event occurs with decreased frequency. For example, "I eat fast food "less often" since I started cooking at home."

What are some alternatives to saying "less often"?

Some alternatives to "less often" include "more infrequently", "not as frequently", or "more seldom", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "less often" or "fewer times"?

Both "less often" and "fewer times" are correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Less often" refers to frequency, while "fewer times" refers to a specific number of occurrences.

What's the difference between "less often" and "rarely"?

"Less often" implies a reduction in frequency compared to a previous state, while "rarely" suggests something happens infrequently in general, without a direct comparison to a past frequency.