less universal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less universal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not applicable or relevant to all situations or contexts, indicating a limitation in its universality. Example: "The findings of this study are less universal than initially thought, as they only apply to a specific demographic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Kissing is more or less universal.

The New York Times

Three centuries ago, chronic malnutrition was more or less universal.

The Economist

But agreement is more or less universal about its powerful narrative voice.

The Guardian - Books

Considerably less universal in application is the latest Con Edison cast-iron manhole cover.

The New York Times - Arts

But Otto's empire was more limited in scope than Charlemagne's, its pretensions less universal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

SARS scared off many would-be travelers across the globe, and economic woes were more or less universal all year.

The New York Times - Travel

Friends texted me advice, which was more or less universal: put your husband on speed dial just in case.

The New York Times

MITT ROMNEY unveiled his long-awaited foreign-policy speech on Monday, to more or less universal raspberries.

The Economist

One plan achieves more or less universal coverage; the other, although it costs more than 80percentt as much, covers only about half of those currently uninsured.

The New York Times

Is female education, the violin that accompanied the drum beats of war in Afghanistan, no less universal a right than freedom from sexual terrorism?

The Guardian - Opinion

The distinction was originally based on size of budget and other factors, like recording (which is everywhere in disarray) and touring (which has become more or less universal).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less universal", ensure the context clearly defines what it is being compared to. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid assuming that if something is "less universal", it is insignificant. Even if not universally applicable, it may still be important within specific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less universal" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is not as broadly applicable or prevalent as something that is universal. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less universal" is a versatile adjective phrase used to temper claims of universality, suggesting a limitation in scope or applicability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives such as "more specific" or "not as widespread" can provide similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the context and avoiding overstatements about the opposite. This ensures precision and strengthens the overall quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not universally applicable

Explicitly states that something does not apply in all cases.

not all-encompassing

Emphasizes that something does not include everything.

more specific

Indicates a narrower focus compared to something universal.

not generally accepted

Suggests a lack of broad agreement or approval.

not as widespread

Suggests a lower prevalence or distribution.

restricted in scope

Highlights limitations in the breadth of applicability.

less prevalent

Indicates a lower degree of prevalence.

less common

Implies a lower frequency or occurrence.

more limited

Indicates a restricted scope or range.

not as extensive

Suggests a smaller scale or coverage.

FAQs

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

You can use "less universal" to describe something that doesn't apply to all cases or isn't generally accepted. For instance, "The appeal of that movie is "less universal" than the previous one."

What's a good alternative to "less universal"?

Alternatives include "more specific", "not as widespread", or "more limited" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not universal" or "less universal"?

Both are correct, but "less universal" implies a degree of universality, whereas "not universal" suggests a complete absence of it. The choice depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "less universal" and "specific"?

"Specific" refers to something clearly defined, whereas "less universal" indicates something that doesn't apply broadly. Something can be both specific and "less universal", but they are not interchangeable concepts.