[Grammar] The expression is not much used

[sb70012]

Hello my friends,

Suppose that we are talking about an expression (short sentence) which is not much used in English:

1. The expression is less used in the US/UK.
2. The expression is a little used in the US/UK.
3. The expression is lowly used in the US/UK.

Note: (I don't want to use the word "rarely". I know it's better to use "rarely" but I want to know whether I can say it with an other way as well or not)

Thank you

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hello my friends,

Suppose that we are talking about an expression (short sentence) which is not much used in English:

1. The expression is less used in the US/UK.
2. The expression is a little used in the US/UK.
3. The expression is lowly used in the US/UK.

Note: (I don't want to use the word "rarely". I know it's better to use "rarely" but I want to know whether I can say it with an other way as well or not)

Thank you

You could use "infrequently".

 

[Rover_KE]

Additionally, 'The expression is little used in the US/UK' (without 'a').

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hello my friends,

Suppose that we are talking about an expression (short sentence) which is not much used in English:

1. The expression is less used in the US/UK.
2. The expression is a little used in the US/UK.
3. The expression is lowly used in the US/UK.

Note: (I don't want to use the word "rarely". I know it's better to use "rarely" but I want to know whether I can say it with an other way as well or not)

Thank you

"Lowly used" in not normal English for me.

 

[Raymott]

None of your examples are right. You've been given some appropriate ones already.
Note that "less used" is also wrong, unless you're making a comparison - which you apparently aren't.

 

[sb70012]

Thanks for answering. You said these are correct:

'The expression is little used in the US/UK'
'The expression is infrequently used in the US/UK'

This is my question: What if I put the bold written words at the end of the sentences? I mean:

'The expression is used in the US/UK little'
'The expression is used in the US/UK infrequently'

Can they be correct too?

 

[Rover_KE]

Only the one with 'infrequently' works.

 

[sb70012]

1. 'The expression is less often used in the US/UK'
2. 'The expression is used in the US/UK less often'

Hello again,

I know that No. 1 is correct but what about No. 2?
Thanks in advance.

 

[5jj]

1. 'The expression is less often used in the US/UK'
2. 'The expression is used in the US/UK less often' [...]

I know that No. 1 is correct

It isn't, unless you are making a comparison.

 

[sb70012]

It isn't, unless you are making a comparison.

Thanks for answering, but you meant only number 2 is incorrect or both 1 and 2 are incorrect?

 

[Rover_KE]

#2 needs to be followed by something like '...than it is in Australia and New Zealand.'

 

[sb70012]

#2 needs to be followed by something like '...than it is in Australia and New Zealand.'

Thank you but doesn't No.1 also need to be followed by something like '...than" ?

 

[Rover_KE]

It would need to be preceded by a reference to the expression in question.

 

[sb70012]

Good point. Now I completely understood it. Thank you.
This is my final question:
1. The expression is rarely used in the US/UK.
2. The expression is seldom used in the US/UK.

In number 1 and 2, can I put the adverbs at the end of the sentences too?
I mean:
1. The expression is used in the US/UK rarely. :?:
2. The expression is used in the US/UK seldom. :?:

 

[Rover_KE]

#1 would sound OK ending with '...is used in the US/UK only rarely' or '...only very rarely'.

#2 doesn't sound natural to me at all — even with the above modifiers.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Good point. Now I completely understood it. Thank you.
This is my final question:
1. The expression is rarely used in the US/UK.
2. The expression is seldom used in the US/UK.

In number 1 and 2, can I put the adverbs at the end of the sentences too?
I mean:
1. The expression is used in the US/UK rarely. :?:
2. The expression is used in the US/UK seldom. :?:

It is more common with rarely than with seldom.

These two web pages explain the placement of adverbs of frequency:


http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/a...indefinite.htm

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/a...y-definite.htm