not as common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as common" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things or actions and suggest that one is less frequent or widespread than the other. Example: While dogs are popular pets, cats are not as common in this neighborhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Art that requires development in the viewer is not as common as one might hope.

The New York Times - Arts

Cash calls in baseball are not as common as safe and out calls, but they exist.

The New York Times - Sports

Such good sense is not as common as it should be.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, Ms. Taylor said, the practice is not as common as it could be.

The New York Times

Chocolate milk is available in China, but is not as common as it is in the United States.

The New Yorker

However, strengthening concrete structures for shear is not as common as for bending and confinement.

Construction and Building Materials

Respiratory failure from tuberculosis is not as common as other community acquired infection.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Pliocene rocks are not as common as the other deposits in the area.

Applied Water Science

Vertical orientations were, also, considered although they are not as common as the horizontal pipeline in the gas industry.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

He adds that this approach is not as common as screening against synthetic compounds.

Science Magazine

It was not as common as her winter landscapes.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the prevalence of two things, ensure you clearly specify both elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "This is not as common", specify "This method is "not as common" as the other method".

Common error

Avoid using "not as common" without specifying what it is less common than. The phrase requires a clear point of reference to be meaningful. Without it, the statement becomes vague and lacks impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as common" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that occurs less frequently or is less prevalent than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

34%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not as common" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative phrase to indicate that something occurs less often or is less widespread than something else. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, including news, science, and general informational writing. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly specify the elements being compared to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "less frequent" or "rarer" can be used for conciseness, but "not as common" offers a neutral tone suitable for various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less frequent

Focuses directly on the lower occurrence rate.

not as prevalent

Highlights the reduced widespread existence or acceptance.

rarer

Implies a scarcity compared to something else.

less typical

Emphasizes deviation from the norm.

not as widespread

Underscores limited distribution or reach.

less often

Addresses the frequency of an action or event.

infrequent

A more formal way to express rarity.

seldom seen

Focuses on the low visibility or observability.

uncommon

A shorter, single-word alternative.

not widely known

Indicates limited public awareness or familiarity.

FAQs

How can I use "not as common" in a sentence?

The phrase "not as common" is used to compare the frequency or prevalence of one thing to another. For example, "Classical music is "not as common" on the radio as pop music".

What can I say instead of "not as common"?

You can use alternatives like "less frequent", "rarer", or "less typical" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not as common" or "less common"?

Both "not as common" and "less common" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Less common" is more concise, while "not as common" might provide a slightly different emphasis.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is not as common as?

Yes, for clarity, it's best practice to specify the comparison. Saying something is "not as common" without indicating what it is less common than can make the statement vague and less informative. Consider providing the explicit comparison or context.