less than frequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than frequently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that happens infrequently or rarely. Example: "I visit my hometown less than frequently, as my work keeps me busy in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

38 Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events of any kind occur less than frequently than LPV (75% vs 61%).

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Perhaps less than is frequently advertised.

The Economist

It's also frequently less than compelling.

The New York Times

Female lobsters shed their shells less frequently than males.

Independent

(I seem to cook Chinese even less frequently than Indian).

The New York Times

Maybe some areas should get mail deliveries less frequently than others.

The New York Times

We get admitted to the hospital less frequently than people in other Western countries.

The New Yorker

She gives regional companies a longer contract because they perform less frequently than big-city troupes.

The New York Times - Arts

This means that new governors are chosen less frequently than the Legislature is reapportioned.

The New York Times

He attends some local college games, but goes to the MCI Center less frequently than ever.

The New York Times - Sports

Actually, darts like these turned up less frequently than I expected.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing frequencies, use "less than frequently" to explicitly indicate a lower rate compared to another event or baseline. For example, "Complications occur "less than frequently" with this new procedure compared to the old one".

Common error

Avoid overstating the infrequency. "Less than frequently" implies it still happens, just not often. If something almost never happens, consider using phrases like "rarely ever" or "almost never" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than frequently" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb to indicate the frequency of an action or event. It signifies that something occurs to a smaller extent than what might be considered typical or expected. Ludwig AI validates its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

59%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than frequently" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express that something occurs infrequently. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to consider context and choose the most appropriate alternative, such as "rarely" or "seldom", for conciseness or emphasis. It appears most often in Scientific and News & Media sources, and understanding potential misinterpretations, like overstating infrequency, can improve clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequently

Single-word synonym that directly replaces the phrase, offering brevity.

rarely

Similar to "infrequently" but emphasizes the scarcity of the event.

seldom

Formal synonym emphasizing the uncommon nature of the occurrence.

not often

A more direct and common way to express the same meaning.

on rare occasions

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the event's occurrence.

not very frequently

Adds emphasis to the lack of frequency, making it more explicit.

less often than expected

Highlights a deviation from an anticipated frequency.

at longer intervals

Focuses on the increased time between occurrences.

on few occasions

Similar to "on rare occasions" but slightly less formal.

not as frequently as before

Implies a decrease in frequency compared to a previous state.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less than frequently" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives like "seldom", "rarely", or "infrequently" for a more formal tone. These single-word adverbs convey a similar meaning with greater conciseness. You can also use phrases as "on rare occasions".

Is it always better to use "less than frequently" instead of "rarely"?

Not always. "Rarely" is often more concise and direct. Use "less than frequently" when you want to explicitly compare the frequency of one thing to another, or when you want to emphasize the comparison in frequency.

What's the difference between "less than frequently" and "not as frequently as"?

"Less than frequently" generally describes a low occurrence rate. "Not as frequently as" is used for direct comparisons, such as "I see him not as frequently as I used to".

How to properly use "less than frequently" in a sentence?

Ensure your sentence clearly indicates what is happening "less than frequently" and what it is being compared to, if anything. For instance, "Side effects occur "less than frequently" with this medication compared to the previous one".