less build up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less build up" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a reduction in the amount of buildup, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "We need to have less build up in our discussions to get to the main point faster."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is peopled, to be sure, but much greener and less built up than Midtown.

The New York Times

A market for them could perhaps be created in rural-urban fringes that are less built up.

The New York Times

The establishment of nature reserves had no detectable effect on surrounding land use, however two distinguished groups of reserves were identified with either more or less built up area in buffers zones compared to cities.

Applied Geography

In towns where it occurs alongside the house or tree sparrow, it is found in gardens and less built up areas.

Wikipedia

The reasons are simple, several developers and architects in New Jersey said: It costs less to build up than to build out.

The New York Times

Zeynep Ton of the MIT Sloan School of Management notes that some retailers, including Costco, pay more and have happier staff who quit less and build up skills.

The Economist

A lot: in my opinion, it is likely that the more we rely on technology to find our way, the less we build up our cognitive maps.

The New York Times

The less you sweat, the less sweat will build up behind your blocked pores and the less irritated your rash will be.

WikiHow

Sometimes, these people simply received less money, leaving them less able to build up reserves.

Science Magazine

Weaker demand gives distributors less reason to build up stockpiles, a sign production may cool and contribute less to the recovery.

The New York Times

It is likely, he said, that more frequent fires will allow less fuel to build up, in time making big conflagrations like that of 1988 less probable.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to reducing the quantity of something that accumulates, consider using more precise alternatives like "reduced accumulation" or "decreased buildup" to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid separating "build" and "up" with other words such as "less". The phrasal verb "build up" should remain intact. Instead, consider using "reduced buildup" or "less accumulation" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

Less build up attempts to function as a comparative phrase modifying a phrasal verb. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not considered standard English. It aims to describe a situation where the extent of accumulation is reduced.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “less build up” is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests it's an attempt to convey a reduction in accumulation, but lacks clarity. Alternative phrases like "reduced buildup" or "decreased accumulation" are more appropriate. While the intended function is to describe a reduction in accumulated material, its non-standard usage makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. When writing, opt for the clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced accumulation

Focuses on the act of accumulation being diminished, rather than the comparative aspect of 'less'.

decreased buildup

Uses 'decreased' to emphasize a reduction in the existing level of buildup.

minimize accumulation

Shifts the focus to actively reducing the process of accumulation.

lessened accumulation

Similar to 'reduced accumulation', but uses a different verb form to describe the reduction.

lower accumulation

Focuses on achieving a reduced quantity of accumulated material.

limited buildup

Emphasizes a restriction or constraint on the accumulation process.

reduced deposit

Specifically targets the reduction of deposited materials or substances.

decreased deposit

Similar to 'reduced deposit' but uses an alternate descriptive term.

minimize sediment

Specifically focuses on reduction of accumulation of sediments.

lower sediment

Similar to 'minimize sediment', but uses a different verb form to describe the reduction.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "less build up"?

More grammatically sound alternatives include "reduced buildup" or "decreased accumulation", which clearly convey a reduction in accumulated material.

How can I use "build up" correctly in a sentence?

Use "build up" as a phrasal verb to describe the process of accumulation, for example, "Plaque can "build up" on teeth if they are not brushed regularly."

What does "reduced accumulation" mean?

"Reduced accumulation" means that the amount of something that is collecting or gathering over time has been lessened or decreased.

Is it ever correct to separate the words in the phrasal verb "build up"?

While it's common for adverbs to interrupt phrasal verbs, placing "less" between "build" and "up" is not standard. Instead, modify the noun resulting from the phrasal verb (e.g., "less buildup") or use a different phrase altogether.