less well known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less well known" is correct and it is often used in written English.
For example, you could say "Van Gogh's early works are less well known than his later masterpieces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Less well known?

The New York Times

Paul Faraway's story is less well known.

Independent

Less well known is what happened next.

The New York Times

Less well known works are also included.

Independent

Others are less well known.

The Guardian - Music

But other lessons are less well known.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Kahlo, 20 years his junior, was far less well-known.

The Guardian - Arts

Less well-known is Fisher's work as a script doctor.

Vice

What's less well-known is how incredible the licensed comic book adaptation of the film was.

Huffington Post

But the less-well-known are more tantrum-prone.

Forbes

The replacements are less well-known quantities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less well known", ensure you provide context about what it is being compared to. For example, "While the Eiffel Tower is famous, less well known is the underground city beneath it."

Common error

Avoid using "less well known" when a simpler word like "obscure" or "uncommon" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less well known" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes a noun, indicating that the noun is not widely recognized or familiar. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less well known" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that serves to introduce information that is not widely recognized. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding redundancy and ensuring clear context. Consider alternatives like "obscure" or "relatively unknown" to maintain concise and impactful writing. Top sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, reflecting its relevance in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lesser-known

A more concise and hyphenated alternative to "less well known".

less widely recognized

Focuses on the degree of recognition, similar to "less well known" but emphasizes broader awareness.

not commonly known

Highlights that the information is not generally possessed by people.

not as familiar

Highlights a lack of familiarity, implying a personal or subjective lack of knowledge.

relatively unknown

Emphasizes the lack of knowledge about something in comparison to other things.

not widely publicized

Focuses on the lack of promotion or dissemination of information.

not as well established

Indicates a lack of recognition due to something not being firmly established.

obscure

Suggests something is hidden, vague, or not easily discovered.

less frequently cited

Highlights the lack of references or mentions of something, usually in academic or formal contexts.

underappreciated

Implies that something deserves more recognition than it currently receives.

FAQs

How can I use "less well known" in a sentence?

You can use "less well known" to introduce facts or details that are not widely recognized, as in "While everyone knows about the Big Apple, "less well known" is that New York has several other nicknames too".

What's a synonym for "less well known"?

Alternatives to "less well known" include "obscure", "relatively unknown", or "not widely recognized", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "less known" or "less well known"?

"Less well known" is generally considered more formal and grammatically precise. While "less known" is also acceptable, "less well known" adds a slightly more refined tone.

What's the difference between "less well known" and "unknown"?

"Unknown" implies a complete lack of awareness, while "less well known" suggests some awareness exists, but it's not widespread. For example, you might say a famous landmark is well-known, whereas a local secret spot is "less well known".