less cost effective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less cost effective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the cost efficiency of two or more options, indicating that one option is not as efficient in terms of cost as another. Example: "While the new software offers advanced features, it is less cost effective than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's less cost effective the smaller the entity".

The New York Times

The deal looks less and less cost effective every time Castillo cannot play a day game after a night game.

The New York Times - Sports

Michael Grunberg, a partner in the family-owned building, said that "it would be cheaper just to put a coat of paint on it, but less cost effective".

The New York Times

Remotely monitoring patients with long-term conditions is less cost effective than usual care, a UK trial suggests.

BBC

Wrapper methods can give high classification accuracy than filter method for particular classifiers but they are less cost effective.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

In conclusion, use of these MSC, PRP, and PPP are safe and less cost effective for treating OA and JIA.

Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Adding environmental information to the intervention results in higher intervention costs, and did not increase effectiveness as hypothesized [ 18], making it less cost-effective than the basic intervention.

BMC Public Health

Risk status was more important than age in determining the economic effects of annual vaccination, and vaccination was less cost-effective as the child's age increased.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Escitalopram had similar cost-effectiveness to venlafaxine in two comparisons [ 38, 43] and was less cost-effective in one [ 31].

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

"The idea of going after overdue fees is less cost-effective than just eating the costs," Mr. Graf said.

The New York Times

We know it will be less cost-effective, it will reach fewer viewers, and will have 50% smaller programming budgets.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing different options, quantify the cost and benefits as precisely as possible to illustrate why one option is "less cost effective" than another. For example, 'Option A costs 20% more but only increases output by 5%, making it "less cost effective" than Option B'.

Common error

Don't assume that something "less cost effective" is simply more expensive. Cost-effectiveness considers both the cost and the outcome or benefit. A slightly more expensive option that yields significantly better results might actually be more cost-effective overall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less cost effective" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that offers a lower return or benefit relative to its cost, in comparison to another option. Ludwig shows it used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less cost effective" is a useful phrase to describe options that provide a lower return on investment compared to others. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, remember to consider both the cost and the benefits of each option to ensure an accurate comparison. While alternatives like "more expensive" or "economically inefficient" exist, "less cost effective" specifically highlights the relationship between cost and value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not economical

A straightforward way of saying something isn't a good economic choice.

uneconomical

A more formal synonym for not economical.

economically inefficient

Directly refers to a lack of economic efficiency.

poor value for money

Focuses on the unsatisfactory return relative to the cost.

more expensive

Indicates a higher price point, implying reduced cost-effectiveness.

less efficient use of resources

Highlights the wasteful aspect of the option.

not a good investment

Suggests that the option won't yield favorable financial returns.

suboptimal expenditure

Emphasizes that the spending isn't ideal or the best possible.

wasteful spending

Highlights the aspect of resources being used ineffectively.

a bad buy

Colloquial and suggests the item is a poor purchase.

FAQs

How can I use "less cost effective" in a sentence?

You can use "less cost effective" to compare options where one provides a lower return or benefit for the investment compared to another. For example: "While the new technology offers advanced features, it's "less cost effective" than the current system due to the high initial investment."

What are some alternatives to saying "less cost effective"?

Alternatives include "more expensive", "economically inefficient", or "poor value for money", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less cost effective"?

Yes, "less cost effective" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that does not provide the best value for its cost.

What's the difference between "less cost effective" and "cheaper"?

"Cheaper" only refers to the price, while "less cost effective" considers the relationship between the cost and the benefits. A cheaper option may still be "less cost effective" if it provides significantly fewer benefits or has a shorter lifespan compared to a slightly more expensive alternative.