slightly less often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly less often" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a frequency that is reduced by a small amount compared to another frequency. Example: "I go to the gym slightly less often now that I have a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A reason given slightly less often was doubt about being able to pull off the ruse.

The New York Times - Tech

Pop stars tweak their sound every album cycle; they reboot their image just slightly less often than your browser refreshes.

The Guardian - Music

CPR doesn't work very often, and it works slightly less often on those beyond 70 and considerably less often at more advanced ages.

The New York Times

In the more recent period, moreover, both groups voted to uphold programs slightly less often, which is probably a consequence of conservative decisions from the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

Mariano Rivera, the Old Faithful of baseball relievers, gave up a grand slam, which happens slightly less often than Halley's Comet.

The New York Times

Single parents receive more help from the government; they're accused of destabilising society (slightly) less often and receive tax credits towards childcare if they work for more than 16 hours per week.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Being married, on the other hand, is slightly less thrilling and often consists of nights spent listening to your partner snore and squabbles about hard-boiled eggs.

Huffington Post

It was a failure in that it was slightly less convenient and often resulted in an burden on others who were still using the Big Five services, such as my editors.

Vice

Women were slightly older and less often overweight or obese.

Clinical Epidemiology

The yield on the bonds, all sold at par, is often slightly less than what institutions would get on similar bonds in the o-t-c market.

Forbes

They often have slightly less style and finish than the five-gaited horse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly less often" when you want to indicate a small decrease in the frequency of an event or action without implying a significant change. This phrase is suitable for scenarios where precision is not crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly less often" when the difference in frequency is actually substantial. In such cases, opt for phrases like "significantly less often" or "much less frequently" to accurately reflect the degree of change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly less often" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action or event occurs. It specifies a frequency that is reduced by a small amount, modifying a verb or verb phrase, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly less often" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to express a marginal decrease in frequency. Ludwig's analysis indicates its appropriateness in diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to scientific publications. While alternatives like "somewhat less frequently" exist, "slightly less often" provides a specific nuance suitable when precision isn't paramount. It is crucial, however, to avoid using it when the actual difference in frequency is substantial, to prevent misrepresentation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard grammar rules and is widely accepted, ensuring its effective communication in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less frequently

Omits "slightly", making the reduction in frequency more general.

Not as often

Simplifies the wording while retaining the core meaning of reduced frequency.

Somewhat less frequently

Replaces 'slightly' with 'somewhat' and 'often' with 'frequently', altering the emphasis slightly.

A bit less frequently

Substitutes 'slightly' with 'a bit' and 'often' with 'frequently', making it more casual.

Slightly less regularly

Replaces 'often' with 'regularly', giving a different nuance.

Marginally less often

Uses 'marginally' instead of 'slightly', suggesting an even smaller difference in frequency.

Barely less often

Replaces 'slightly' with 'barely', indicating a minimal difference.

Somewhat rarely

Replaces "often" with "rarely" and maintains the same meaning.

Hardly ever

Substitutes the entire phrase to convey very infrequent occurrence.

To a lesser extent

Expresses the idea of something happening to a reduced degree, not specifically frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly less often" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly less often" to describe a situation where something happens a little less frequently than something else. For example: "I visit my parents "slightly less often" since I started working full-time."

What are some alternatives to "slightly less often"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat less frequently", "a bit less often", or "not as often". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slightly less often"?

Yes, "slightly less often" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to express a minor difference in frequency.

What is the difference between "slightly less often" and "significantly less often"?

"Slightly less often" implies a small difference in frequency, while "significantly less often" indicates a much larger and more noticeable difference. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.