give it a boost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give it a boost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to enhancing, improving, or increasing something, such as performance, energy, or motivation. Example: "To improve our sales figures, we need to give it a boost with a new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Flipboard — which today says it has 90 million users, up from 80 million a year ago when it launched its first targeted ad products — is hoping that Storyboard will give it a boost in its advertising business.

TechCrunch

The embrace of critics could give it a boost in its second season.

Los Angeles Times

Raising the level of you Pikachu will give it a boost in its friendship.

WikiHow

In the case of that travel unit, which launched back in May, it has teamed up with Priceline to work with its Agoda.com service to give it a boost.

TechCrunch

But give it a boost by adding vitamins to your arsenal of health-boosting help.

WikiHow

Now Iowa's government could give it a boost.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the same night "Top Chef" indirectly dealt the restaurant its worst blow, the program also gave it a boost.

The New York Times

Second: early users – a hard-core engineering group – found the app useful and gave it a boost, causing a Slack ecosystem to quickly emerge.

Columbia University

They noticed that the campaign gathering momentum, and gave it a boost, but they didn't initiate it.

The Guardian

In any case, the strong showing for "Django," which failed to earn any nominations with the Screen Actors Guild on Wednesday, gives it a boost in the awards race.

The New York Times

The party won the coveted first spot on the NSW upper house ballot paper, giving it a boost from so-called donkey votes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using alternatives such as "give it a lift" or "enhance it" to avoid repetition and make your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "give it a boost" when referring to fundamental problems that require more than just enhancement. The phrase implies a need for improvement, not a complete overhaul.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it a boost" functions as a verb phrase, typically used transitively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of improving, enhancing, or increasing something. It denotes providing assistance or encouragement to elevate the performance or status of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give it a boost" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that signifies improving or enhancing something. Ludwig AI highlights its versatility across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in specific professional settings. The analysis reveals that related phrases like "give it a lift" or "give it a push" can add nuance to your writing. By understanding the appropriate usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate "give it a boost" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it a lift

Focuses on raising or elevating something, similar to boosting.

give it a push

Implies providing momentum or initial force.

give it a leg up

Suggests providing assistance to overcome a hurdle.

give it an edge

Emphasizes providing a competitive advantage.

give it a fillip

Highlights providing a small but noticeable improvement.

give it a shot in the arm

Implies revitalizing or energizing something.

give it a helping hand

Suggests offering assistance or support.

give it some impetus

Focuses on providing a driving force or motivation.

give it some fuel

Emphasizes providing resources or energy.

give it a kick-start

Implies initiating or accelerating a process.

FAQs

How can I use "give it a boost" in a sentence?

You can use "give it a boost" to indicate improving something, such as "We need to "give it a boost" with a new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "give it a boost"?

Alternatives include "give it a lift", "give it a push", or "give it an edge", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "give it a boost" in formal writing?

While "give it a boost" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "enhance it" or "improve it" may be preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "give it a boost" and "give it a try"?

"Give it a boost" means to improve or enhance something, while "give it a try" means to attempt something.