less prolific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less prolific" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that produces fewer results or outputs compared to another. Example: "While the previous author was highly prolific, this one is less prolific in terms of published works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Are late bloomers generally less prolific than prodigies?

The New Yorker

As he aged into character roles, Lemmon remained no less prolific.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although much less prolific than Dwyer and Segall, young Mikal Cronin is a similarly impressive talent.

The Guardian - Music

This stretches both north and south to the hitherto less prolific basins of Espirito Santo and Santos.

The Economist

Less prolific than before, he seems to be groping his way toward a new style, more concise in form and more melodically compressed.

The New Yorker

Less prolific than his contemporaries, Ruiz de Alarcón wrote about 25 plays, most of which were published in two separate volumes in 1628 and 1634, respectively.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In this study, the coding regions of caprine NGF gene were analyzed to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), their association with litter size, and the relative ovarian expression of NGF gene in the two indigenous goat breeds of South India viz., the prolific Malabari and less-prolific Attappady Black.

Theriogenology

Mr. Simmons warns that Saudi Arabia's famously prolific wells might be less fecund than once thought.

The New York Times

The striker – less than prolific in these parts – has been little lamented since his £9m move to Palace last summer but here Wickham startingly sprang to life, demonstrating precisely why he cost so much.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard not to feel that if Steadman was weirder, hermetic, less astonishingly prolific and more pretentiously grandiose, he'd be recognised not just as a very good artist, but as one of the world's few very greats.

Vice

In his acclaimed autobiography Full Time, the anxious and less-than-prolific striker Cascarino compared scoring with masturbation: "I've always found sex to be an absolute pleasure, but scoring goals has only ever brought relief".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two subjects, use "less prolific" to clearly indicate a difference in output or productivity. For example, "Artist A is more celebrated, but Artist B is "less prolific"."

Common error

Avoid using "less prolific" when you mean "less talented". "Prolific" refers to output or quantity, not quality. Ensure your word choice reflects this distinction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less prolific" functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to describe a noun, indicating a reduced level of productivity or output compared to another subject. Ludwig shows many examples with this use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less prolific" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that effectively conveys a reduced level of productivity or output. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While appropriate in both formal and informal settings, its usage is most prevalent in neutral to formal writing, and it serves to draw direct comparisons. When aiming to diversify your vocabulary, alternatives such as "not as productive" or "less fruitful" may be considered, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as productive

Emphasizes the reduced output or results compared to something else.

less fruitful

Focuses on the lack of positive outcomes or results.

not as abundant

Highlights the lower quantity or supply.

smaller output

Directly indicates a reduced amount of production.

reduced yield

Specifically refers to a decrease in the amount produced, often in agriculture or business.

lower rate of production

Focuses on the speed and quantity of output.

limited in scope

Highlights a narrow or restricted range of activity or output.

sparse in output

Emphasizes the thinness or scarcity of production.

underperforming

Suggests a failure to meet expected levels of productivity or output.

decreased activity

Indicates a general reduction in the level of action or production.

FAQs

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

Use "less prolific" to compare the output or productivity of two entities. For example, "Although both authors are talented, the second is "less prolific", publishing only one book a year."

What's a simple way to rephrase "less prolific"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "not as productive" or "less fruitful" depending on the context. For example, instead of saying "He was "less prolific" in his later years", you could say "He was not as productive in his later years".

Is "less prolific" a formal or informal phrase?

"Less prolific" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience. In very casual settings, simpler phrases might be preferable.

Which is more correct, "less prolific" or "fewer prolific"?

"Less prolific" is the correct choice. "Fewer" is used with countable nouns, while "less" is used with uncountable nouns. "Prolific" describes a quality or degree, making "less" the appropriate modifier.