fewer gains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer gains" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a smaller number of improvements or benefits, often in a comparative context. Example: "This quarter, we experienced fewer gains in sales compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Labour may be heading for fewer gains than expected at today's local elections, according to a new forecast.

The Times

Results demonstrated that control teachers reporting higher professional investment stress showed fewer gains in observed emotional support relative to control teachers experiencing less professional investment stress.

Early Childhood Research Quarterly

When individuals do buy, they should consider funds that replace their holdings infrequently and pass along fewer gains to shareholders, he said.

The New York Times

With fewer gains to go around, distributional squabbles intensify not just among various income groups but also among different social classes and ethnic groups.

The New Yorker

But he made fewer gains in the survey among the broader universe of registered voters, with whom his lead expanded to eight points from seven.

The New York Times

With fewer gains to go around, distributional squabbles intensify — not just among various income groups but also among different social classes and ethnic groups.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Few gains were made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Very few gains made in this environment.

Harvard Business Review

Few gains were posted among specialty and department store chains.

The New York Times

Haiti's corrections system has made few gains.

The New York Times

But there were a few gains in June.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fewer gains", ensure you're comparing it to a previous state or another entity to highlight the difference in progress or improvement. This provides context and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "less gains" instead of "fewer gains". "Fewer" is used for countable nouns (gains), while "less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., less progress).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer gains" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a reduced quantity of positive outcomes or advancements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fewer gains" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a reduction in positive outcomes or advancements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its typical usage involves comparing current results to previous ones, often highlighting a decline. While the phrase appears across various contexts, it is particularly frequent in news media, scientific research, and formal business communication. When using this phrase, ensure you are making a comparison to provide context and avoid the common mistake of using "less" instead of "fewer". Alternatives include phrases like "reduced progress" and "diminished returns", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less progress

A more concise way of saying that less headway was made.

reduced progress

Emphasizes a slower rate of advancement.

diminished returns

Highlights the decreased benefits from an investment or effort.

limited advancements

Focuses on the restricted nature of the improvements made.

smaller profits

Specifically refers to a reduction in financial earnings.

lower yields

Synonymous with decreased yields, implying reduced output.

decreased yields

Implies a lower output or return from an activity.

slighter improvements

Indicates that the enhancements are minimal.

modest gains

Suggests that the advancements are not substantial.

marginal increases

Focuses on the small scale of the rises or growth.

FAQs

How can I use "fewer gains" in a sentence?

You can use "fewer gains" to indicate a reduction in progress or benefits compared to a previous state or another entity. For example: "This year, we saw "fewer gains" in market share compared to last year".

What's a good alternative to "fewer gains"?

Alternatives to "fewer gains" include "reduced progress", "diminished returns", or "limited advancements", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less gains" instead of "fewer gains"?

No, it is not correct. "Fewer" should be used with countable nouns like "gains", while "less" is used with uncountable nouns. The correct phrase is "fewer gains".

What does "fewer gains" imply in a business context?

In a business context, "fewer gains" often implies a decrease in profits, market share, or other key performance indicators compared to previous periods. This could be due to various factors such as increased competition, economic downturn, or ineffective strategies.