be less competitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less competitive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that someone should adopt a more collaborative or relaxed approach rather than striving to outdo others. Example: "In order to foster a more supportive environment, we should encourage everyone to be less competitive and focus on teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Distinguish between "I'd like her to be less competitive" and "I'd like to learn to live with her competitiveness".

WikiHow

We are going to be less competitive.

Harvard Business Review

"In the mart, it will be less competitive.

The New York Times

Some of these lectureships would be less competitive than others.

The Guardian

It will raise costs and help British business to be less competitive".

The Guardian

Last March, he researched alternate events that would be less competitive in Nigeria.

The New York Times

At that time, the Republican contest was expected to be less competitive than the Democratic primary.

The New York Times

And societies struggling under that burden will be less competitive globally.

The New York Times

But if you do that, you're going to be less competitive in business.

Harvard Business Review

Students in these schools with low class ranks may even be less competitive when it comes to college admissions.

The New York Times

Simon Burnton has South Africa v Japan, which might be less competitive than this match, right here for you.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When managing teams, promote a culture where members "be less competitive" with each other and more collaborative in problem-solving.

Common error

Avoid creating environments that solely reward individual accomplishments, as this can unintentionally foster excessive competition. Instead, highlight team successes and collaborative efforts to encourage individuals to "be less competitive" and more supportive of each other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less competitive" functions as an adjective phrase used to recommend or suggest a change in attitude or behavior. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a shift away from rivalry and towards collaboration or cooperation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be less competitive" is a common and grammatically correct way to suggest reducing rivalry in various contexts. According to Ludwig, it's frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Alternatives include "reduce competitiveness", "foster collaboration", and "adopt a cooperative approach". While a healthy level of competition can be beneficial, knowing when to encourage individuals to "be less competitive" can foster more supportive and collaborative environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce competitiveness

Directly addresses the act of diminishing the level of competition.

downplay rivalry

Minimizes the intensity or significance of competitive relationships.

de-emphasize competition

Focuses on reducing the importance or significance of competition.

moderate competition

Implies regulating or decreasing the intensity of competition.

foster collaboration

Highlights the promotion of cooperative efforts instead of competitive ones.

encourage collaboration

Promotes working together as opposed to working against each other.

shift focus from competition

Indicates a change in emphasis from competitive aspects to other elements.

adopt a cooperative approach

Suggests choosing a collaborative method over a competitive one.

prioritize teamwork

Emphasizes the importance of team efforts over individual competition.

cultivate partnership

Highlights the development of partnerships instead of rivalries.

FAQs

How can I use "be less competitive" in a sentence?

You can use "be less competitive" to suggest a shift towards collaboration. For example, "The company should aim to "be less competitive" and foster a more cooperative environment."

What are some alternatives to "be less competitive"?

Alternatives include "reduce competitiveness", "foster collaboration", or "adopt a cooperative approach".

Is it always beneficial to "be less competitive"?

While reducing excessive competition can improve teamwork and morale, some level of competition can still drive innovation and performance. The key is to find a balance that suits the specific context.

What's the difference between "be less competitive" and "reduce competitiveness"?

"Be less competitive" is often used as a suggestion or encouragement, while "reduce competitiveness" is a more direct instruction or policy. The first is a recommendation, the second is a call to action.