leaner than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaner than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is more efficient, streamlined, or less bulky than one anticipated, often in contexts like business, finance, or product descriptions. Example: "The final budget for the project turned out to be leaner than expected, allowing us to allocate more resources to other initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the plan is considerably leaner than expected.

Science Magazine

The market stumbled Thursday after the latest read on the housing market was leaner than expected.

Forbes

Wall Street got an early bounce Thursday, thanks to the latest dip in weekly jobless claims, but by midday the market was languishing with the major averages down about a percent after the latest read on the housing market was leaner than expected.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If the study mother had smoked prenatally, there were no consistent associations between the child's body composition with the history of the paternal grandmother's smoking [PGM+M+ vs. PGM−M+], but some indication that if the maternal grandmother had smoked prenatally [MGM+M+ vs. MGM−M+] the girls had slightly lower fat, lean, and bone mass than expected from the factors taken into account.

American Journal of Human Biology

"The loss in harvest last year was worse than expected, and the lean season started earlier than anticipated for a larger share of the population.

The Guardian

And though the car dives a bit more than expected in heavy braking and leans a bit more than expected in hard turns, the handling is a pleasure.

The New York Times

Do even worse than expected on Thursday and they might lean informally on the UK Independence party (Ukip), a party that wants Britain to leave the European Union.

The Guardian

The highest reading on weekly unemployment claims in nearly six months and leaner-than-expected revenue from Cisco Systems overshadowed a billion-dollar profit from General Motors Thursday morning as stocks opened to the downside once again after being crushed Wednesday.

Forbes

Obesity increases Vd, especially for lipophilic antibiotics, because of increased lean body mass and increased adipose tissue which can lead to lower than expected plasma antibiotic concentrations.

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases

FBR's analysts went on to predict that the traditional videogame business would have a more successful year than expected, that "combined with growth in digital and mobile revenues and leaner cost structures, the group as a whole should outperform".

Forbes

That was lower than expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing budgets or plans, use "leaner than expected" to highlight efficient resource allocation and cost-effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "leaner than expected" when you actually mean "insufficient" or "underdeveloped". Leanness implies efficiency, not necessarily a deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaner than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often implicit) by indicating that it is more streamlined or efficient than previously anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaner than expected" is a grammatically correct and useful expression, primarily employed in news, science, and business contexts to denote that something is more efficient or streamlined than initially anticipated. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's well-received in formal and informal communications that need to highlight optimized resource use or streamlined processes. Common alternatives include "more streamlined than anticipated" and "more efficient than anticipated". When using this phrase, ensure it reflects genuine efficiency rather than mere inadequacy. By recognizing its function and register, you can effectively integrate "leaner than expected" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trimmed down more than anticipated

Implies active cutting or reduction to achieve a smaller size.

more streamlined than anticipated

Focuses on efficiency and simplicity as opposed to pure leanness.

slimmer than projected

Indicates a reduced forecast or expectation in size or scope.

more efficient than anticipated

Emphasizes operational performance instead of physical attributes.

smaller in scope than initially thought

Emphasizes a reduced area or extent.

less substantial than expected

Highlights the lack of material or importance.

less bulky than anticipated

Specifically refers to physical size and mass.

more refined than projected

Suggests an improvement in quality and precision.

more economical than anticipated

Shifts focus to cost-effectiveness.

scaled-down from initial estimates

Directly addresses a reduction in scale or size from original predictions.

FAQs

What does "leaner than expected" mean?

The phrase "leaner than expected" indicates that something is more efficient, streamlined, or less bulky than anticipated. It often implies a positive adjustment or optimization.

How can I use "leaner than expected" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe budgets, resource allocation, or even physical attributes. For example: "The project budget was "leaner than expected", allowing for more investment in marketing."

What are some alternatives to "leaner than expected"?

Alternatives include "more streamlined than anticipated", "more efficient than anticipated", or "less bulky than anticipated" depending on the context.

Is "leaner than expected" formal or informal?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in business, finance, and general news reporting. Its acceptability is broad, making it versatile for varied types of writing.