less cost efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less cost efficient" 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 efficient than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In contrast, on average urban hospitals had improved both in terms of cost and time efficiency during this period, although they remained less cost efficient than the rural hospitals.

BMC Health Services Research

Most of the literature concludes that private for-profit and private non-profit hospitals are less cost efficient than publicly owned hospitals [52 54].

Health Economics Review

From an efficiency point of view, capital slack can be considered as idling resources and may thus make firms less cost efficient (note that a positive significant impact means less efficient).

Journal of Shipping and Trade

Regarding water treatment technologies, the analyses showed that ultrafiltration seems to be "less" environmentally sustainable and less cost efficient than the three other technologies considered, i.e., chlorination, UV disinfection and sand filtration.

Applied Water Science

However, the ED at the integrated system has become less cost efficient because they see fewer patients at the same costs.

BMC Family Practice

However, the same groups report no or very low difference in precision of measurement between those platforms [ 27- 29, 41], so the only certain advantage of the less cost efficient HuEx-1.0ST arrays for the project is better genomic coverage.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Re-allocating space from less cost-efficient transport forms like cars to modern, cost-effective bicycles makes sense.

The Guardian

When users of the Esperanza perpetuate 3-stone practices, energy saving potentials with improved cooking stoves are far smaller and less cost-efficient.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Avoidance of observer bias by utilizing temporary plots only is therefore achieved at the expense of a loss in precision and reliability, making designs based on temporary plots less cost-efficient than those with an equal number of permanent plots [12].

Carbon Balance and Management

They are less cost-efficient than alternatives like laptops that are better designed to develop usable skill sets while tablets are little more than a replacement for paper and Perry's ever-feared textbooks.

HuffPost

For example, in lower-income countries, costly medical technologies potentially may be less cost-efficient than they would be in higher-income countries.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, quantify the difference in cost efficiency if possible (e.g., "Option A is 20% less cost efficient than Option B").

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "less cost efficient" without providing context. Always specify what it is less cost efficient than, or the reasons why it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less cost efficient" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun by indicating that the noun has a lower degree of cost efficiency compared to something else. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less cost efficient" is a grammatically sound expression used to compare the cost-effectiveness of different options, indicating one is economically inferior in terms of resource utilization. Ludwig confirms its validity and identifies its frequent use in science and news media. While generally understood, it's best used with quantifiable comparisons to clarify its meaning and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "more expensive" or "not as cost-effective" may be used depending on the context, but be mindful that the term "less cost efficient" typically highlights inefficiencies in resource management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as cost-effective

Focuses on the ratio of cost to effectiveness, a more direct synonym.

less economical

Emphasizes the economic aspect, suggesting a poorer use of resources.

uneconomical

A more formal synonym for "less economical", implying poor economic sense.

less productive for the cost

Highlights the reduced output relative to the input cost.

more expensive

Indicates a higher price, focusing on the monetary aspect rather than efficiency.

a poor value for money

Indicates that the benefits received are not worth the expense.

less thrifty

Highlights the aspect of frugality and saving money.

more wasteful

Stresses the aspect of resource wastage, implying inefficiency.

not the best investment

Focuses on the return on investment, suggesting better alternatives exist.

suboptimal spending

Focuses on the idea that the spending is not ideal or well-optimized.

FAQs

What does "less cost efficient" mean?

The phrase "less cost efficient" means that something requires more resources (usually money, but also potentially time or effort) to achieve a particular outcome compared to an alternative. It indicates a lower ratio of output to input cost.

What can I say instead of "less cost efficient"?

You can use alternatives like "more expensive", "less economical", or "not as cost-effective" depending on the specific context. Each option emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the inefficiency.

How to use "less cost efficient" in a sentence?

You can use "less cost efficient" to compare the cost-effectiveness of two or more options. For example: "While the new technology offers enhanced features, it is "less cost efficient" than the existing system." or "Traditional marketing methods are becoming "less cost efficient" compared to digital strategies".

Which is correct, "less cost efficient" or "less cost effective"?

Both "less cost efficient" and "less cost effective" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. The choice between them depends on the specific context and desired emphasis, with the first emphasizing the resources while the second emphasizes the outcome. The phrase "less cost effective" is generally more common.