not commonly used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not commonly used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is infrequently encountered or utilized in a particular context. Example: "The term 'floccinaucinihilipilification' is a word that is not commonly used in everyday conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has too little structure to be particularly useful, and so it is not commonly used.

SEP

More sophisticated techniques are available but not commonly used.

The New York Times

It's commonly known, but its not commonly used anymore.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sevylor boats (sevylor.com) are not commonly used on serious whitewater.

The New York Times - Travel

In Vietnam Twitter is accessible though not commonly used.

The Economist

Drums were not commonly used in country music when Mr. Harman started working sessions in Nashville in the early 1950s.

The New York Times - Arts

But it takes much longer to install and is not commonly used for runway rehabilitations.

The New York Times

These are very specific in their applications, however, and thus are not commonly used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many were puzzled by the phrase, noting that the adverb "severely" was not commonly used as modifier signifying admiration and respect.

The New Yorker

Find unusual words that are not commonly used (such as defenestration, hoi polloi, etc)., and recruit a group of people to assist you, one at a time.

The New York Times

Post-tensioning is not commonly used as a repair but is now frequently found in new construction of steel-reinforced concrete.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not commonly used", consider providing context as to why something is not commonly used to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not commonly used" when something is completely obsolete; instead, opt for terms like "outdated" or "obsolete" to more accurately reflect its disuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not commonly used" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically describing a noun or concept to indicate that it is infrequent or rare in its application or occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not commonly used" is a versatile adverbial phrase that effectively conveys the infrequency of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register and serves to inform about the rarity of a term or practice. When employing this phrase, providing contextual reasons for the lack of common usage enhances clarity. Alternatives such as "rarely used" or "infrequently used" can be used depending on the nuanced meaning. Despite its prevalence, overstating rarity should be avoided, ensuring accuracy in reflecting the degree of disuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncommonly used

Direct synonym, highlighting the unusual nature of its use.

rarely used

Indicates a lower frequency of use than "not commonly used".

infrequently used

Emphasizes the lack of frequency in its usage.

seldom used

Suggests an even lower frequency of use than "rarely used".

not frequently employed

Focuses on the infrequency of its employment.

not generally employed

Highlights the lack of typical application or use.

not widely adopted

Focuses on the lack of general acceptance or implementation.

not typically applied

Highlights the lack of standard application.

not habitually used

Indicates a lack of regular or customary use.

not in common parlance

Focuses on the absence of the term in every day language or conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "not commonly used" in a sentence?

You can use "not commonly used" to describe something that is infrequently encountered or utilized. For example: "The term 'floccinaucinihilipilification' is a word that is "not commonly used" in everyday conversation."

What are some alternatives to "not commonly used"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely used", "infrequently used", or "seldom used" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not commonly used" or "uncommonly used"?

Both "not commonly used" and "uncommonly used" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "not commonly used" might be slightly more prevalent.

When should I use "not commonly used" versus "never used"?

"Not commonly used" suggests infrequent use, while "never used" implies complete absence of use. Choose "not commonly used" when something exists but is rare, and "never used" when it's entirely absent.