much less frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

'much less frequent' is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two frequencies or amounts, typically to imply that the first one is greater than the second one. For example, "In the summer months, we see thunderstorms much less frequent than in the spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sessions that were fortnightly become much less frequent.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And they were also a communal event in a way that is much less frequent today.

The Guardian - Music

"It is much less frequent that people come to a site and become so thoroughly immersed.

The New York Times - Science

Today's cars and circuits are safer, for drivers and spectators, and fatalities are much less frequent.

The Guardian - Sport

It should be noted, however, that shark attacks are much less frequent than other aquatic mishaps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The staff bowling parties and other social events that the company once held regularly are much less frequent.

The New York Times

But recently the attacks have become much less frequent – thanks, in part, to "the power of prayer," according to Capt.

The New York Times

In Europe, crises were much less frequent.

Forbes

Nevertheless, other complications, much less frequent but life-threatening, exist.

Surgical Case Reports

"Fortunately for us, heart attacks are much less frequent".

Forbes

Crashes are much less frequent than they used to be.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much less frequent", ensure you clearly state what you are comparing the frequency to. For instance, "Shark attacks are much less frequent than other aquatic mishaps."

Common error

Avoid using "much less frequent" without a clear reference point. Saying "Heart attacks are much less frequent" is vague. Instead, specify: "Heart attacks are much less frequent in this age group."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much less frequent" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that occurs with a lower frequency than something else. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "much less frequent" is a grammatically sound and widely used comparative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize that one event occurs significantly less often than another. Its usage spans across various contexts, including science and news, and is considered to be of neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define what you're comparing and avoid vague statements to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less frequent

Emphasizes the difference in frequency is notable.

far less frequent

Indicates a substantial reduction in frequency.

significantly less frequent

Highlights that the frequency difference is statistically or practically important.

substantially less frequent

Similar to 'significantly', stresses a large difference in frequency.

markedly less frequent

Suggests the change in frequency is easily noticeable.

noticeably less frequent

Indicates the change in frequency is apparent.

appreciably less frequent

Highlights that the frequency reduction is considerable.

distinctly less frequent

Suggests a clear and unambiguous difference in frequency.

infrequently occurring

Focuses on the rare nature of the occurrence.

rarely observed

Highlights the infrequency of observing something.

FAQs

How can I use "much less frequent" in a sentence?

You can use "much less frequent" to compare the occurrence of two events, indicating that one happens considerably less often than the other. For example, "Complications from the surgery are "much less frequent" than anticipated".

What are some alternatives to using "much less frequent"?

Alternatives include "considerably less frequent", "far less frequent", or "significantly less frequent", depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less frequent" or "much less frequent"?

"Less frequent" is grammatically correct. "Much less frequent" simply adds emphasis to the difference in frequency.

What's the difference between "less frequent" and "much less frequent"?

The phrase "much" intensifies the comparison. While both indicate a lower occurrence rate, "much less frequent" emphasizes that the difference is substantial. In other words, "executions in the United States have become "much less frequent"" suggests the difference is more dramatic than if you just said "less frequent".