less bountiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less bountiful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, resource, or outcome that is not as abundant or plentiful as expected or desired. Example: "This year's harvest was less bountiful than last year's, leading to concerns about food supply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He declined to say which producers might be facing less bountiful deals going forward.

The New York Times

It was not just the scrummage that was less bountiful for Japan.

The Guardian - Sport

Even in Shearer's less bountiful "second career", he still scored regularly enough … and brilliantly.

The Guardian - Sport

Over the years, as rainfall has declined and crops have become less bountiful, a gross dependency has set in.

The Economist

The holdings in the Beaufort Sea are probably less bountiful, but could eventually produce as much as 100,000 barrels a day.

The New York Times

Did the ancestral forest environment select for male docility, and did Homo and the chimpanzee then both dump that behavior, independently, as they evolved in less bountiful environments?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Aron, 48, was determined to put the best spin on an unusually good start to the ski season and to play down a less-than-bountiful net loss of $24.8 million, or 71 cents a share, on $113.9 million in revenue in Vail's most recent quarter.

The New York Times

Arran is bountiful in other, less credible, ways.

The Guardian - Books

Yet, nature disperses her own, less conspicuously but with far more bountiful abundance than Juno.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

With revolution sweeping the Middle East, bountiful and dependable oil supplies from the Persian Gulf are less certain, even though America's demand for oil remains strong.

Huffington Post

You have to stop all mortgage foreclosures and swear that, when you are elected, the prices of gasoline will be less than a dollar and that food will be cheap and bountiful again.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less bountiful" to describe situations where a previously abundant resource or yield has diminished. For example, "The river's salmon run was less bountiful this year due to overfishing."

Common error

Avoid using "less bountiful" when you mean something is simply not as helpful or advantageous. "Bountiful" refers to abundance, not inherent value. Instead, use "less beneficial", "less helpful", or "less advantageous" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less bountiful" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduction in abundance or plenty. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and provides examples where it describes decreased yields or resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less bountiful" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes a reduction in abundance or plenty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it objectively conveys a factual description of decreased resources or yields. While "bountiful" itself may have a slightly elevated tone, "less bountiful" maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of writing. Remember to use "less bountiful" to describe situations where something is truly diminished in quantity rather than simply less beneficial or helpful. Alternatives include "less plentiful" or "more scarce" for increased formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less plentiful

Replaces "bountiful" with "plentiful", a direct synonym focusing on abundance.

less abundant

Substitutes "bountiful" with "abundant", highlighting a smaller quantity or supply.

more scarce

Uses "scarce" to indicate a deficiency, contrasting with the original abundance implied by "bountiful".

less fruitful

Replaces "bountiful" with "fruitful", emphasizing a reduction in productive outcomes or results.

not as generous

Uses "generous" to convey the idea of reduced abundance in a more figurative or abstract sense.

more meager

Employs "meager" to highlight the insufficiency or sparseness compared to a previous state of abundance.

less lavish

Swaps "bountiful" for "lavish", suggesting a decline in richness or extravagance.

not as prolific

Replaces "bountiful" with "prolific", underlining a decrease in the rate of production or reproduction.

more limited

Uses "limited" to indicate constraints or restrictions on quantity, differing from the original sense of plentiful supply.

in shorter supply

Expresses reduced availability using a phrase that focuses on the limited amount.

FAQs

How can I use "less bountiful" in a sentence?

You can use "less bountiful" to describe a reduced supply or yield of something. For example, "This year's apple harvest was "less bountiful" due to the late frost".

What's a more formal way to say "less bountiful"?

A more formal alternative to "less bountiful" could be "less abundant" or "more scarce", depending on the context.

Is "less bountiful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less bountiful" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard comparative form using "less" to indicate a smaller quantity of something that is bountiful.

What's the difference between "less bountiful" and "less fruitful"?

"Less bountiful" generally refers to a reduced quantity or supply of something, while "less fruitful" suggests a decrease in productive outcomes or results. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing quantity or productivity.