less fruitful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less fruitful" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means not as productive or successful as something else. Example: Although the team worked hard, their efforts were less fruitful compared to their previous project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He blamed government, accountants and Wall Street for making acquisitions "less and less fruitful".

The New York Times

The following campaign was less fruitful, although they did win the FA Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

That's partly because second years of rallies are almost always less fruitful than the first.

The New York Times

As with reproduction itself, for people to become less fruitful, desire must precede performance.

The Economist

Blockbuster drugs are losing their patents and, despite some bright spots, research has become more costly and less fruitful.

The Economist

"As the years advance there is a new rational ground for the expectation that my life may become less fruitful," she wrote on December 31 , 1877

The New Yorker

While television and film have embraced puppets for eons, Broadway musicals have always been a less fruitful venue for inanimate actors.

The New York Times

But California, where the Legislature plans to finish redistricting next month, may be less fruitful for Democrats than might have been expected.

The New York Times

After all, "the war on the yakuza" in Japan dates back to 1965, making it longer and perhaps less fruitful than the war on terror.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Congressional oversight could help identify regulatory misconduct, but such efforts have been less than fruitful.

The New York Times

Vincenzo Iaquinta and Nicolas Anelka are both certain to leave while Nicklas Bendtner returns to Arsenal following his less than fruitful loan spell.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing outcomes, use "less fruitful" to indicate a diminished return or success rate compared to previous efforts or expectations. For instance, "The second round of negotiations proved less fruitful than the first."

Common error

Avoid using "less fruitful" in contexts where a literal description of fruit production is not intended. Overuse can make your writing sound contrived or unclear. For example, saying "His day was less fruitful" might be better expressed as "He accomplished little today."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less fruitful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a reduced level of productivity, success, or positive outcome. Ludwig AI, with its examples, demonstrates this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less fruitful" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe a reduced level of productivity or success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While semantically related phrases like "less productive" or "less successful" can be used as alternatives, "less fruitful" often implies a comparison or contrast with previous efforts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended metaphorical meaning to maintain clarity and avoid overuse. Overall, "less fruitful" serves as a useful tool for expressing diminished returns in a wide array of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less productive

Replaces "fruitful" with a direct synonym emphasizing output and efficiency.

less successful

Substitutes "fruitful" with a term focusing on the achievement of desired outcomes.

less effective

Indicates a reduced capacity to produce a desired result or effect.

bore less fruit

Maintains the original metaphor but in a more literal, descriptive way.

not as beneficial

Rephrases the concept of fruitfulness as a lack of advantages or positive impacts.

less rewarding

Shifts the focus to the value or satisfaction derived from an activity.

yielded fewer results

Replaces "less fruitful" with a phrase that emphasize a decrease in the number of outcomes.

less profitable

Highlights a decrease in financial gain or benefit.

less advantageous

Changes the focus to a reduction in favorable circumstances or opportunities.

less fertile

This alternative is a more literal application of the term, implying a diminished capacity for growth or propagation.

FAQs

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

You can use "less fruitful" to describe activities or efforts that yield fewer positive results than expected. For example, "Their attempts to find a solution proved "less fruitful" than anticipated".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "less fruitful"?

Alternatives include "less productive", "less effective", or "less successful", depending on the specific context. Consider the nuance you want to convey when choosing a substitute.

Is it appropriate to use "less fruitful" in formal writing?

Yes, "less fruitful" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a relatively neutral phrase that is commonly used in news, academic writing, and business contexts. Consider the tone of your writing and choose the phrase that best fits the context.

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

"Less fruitful" implies a degree of effort or activity that produced some results, but not to the extent desired. "Unsuccessful", on the other hand, suggests a complete lack of the intended outcome. So, "less fruitful" suggests a partial success, while unsuccessful indicates a complete failure.