less good for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less good for" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when comparing the effectiveness or suitability of something in a specific context, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "This method is less good for achieving long-term results compared to the other approach."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less good for privacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Less good for us.

The Guardian

It's no less good for that.

The New York Times - Arts

It is less good for firefighters.

The Economist

Growing GM rape was less good for wildlife, it found.

Independent

Good for Pfizer and for Ireland, less good for the burden on US taxpayers.

Independent

This has been great for hospitals and doctors, but less good for consumers.

The New Yorker

When people explain their failures as personal– it's all my fault– less good for your buoyancy.

Harvard Business Review

But it is less good for the elderly Chinese woman, who loses her civic advocate.

The New Yorker

A few hundred feet deeper, the rock samples turned reddish and increased in density: less good for storage.

The New Yorker

They are less good for homeowners, who often get caught up in red tape when trying to get mortgage help.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less good for", ensure you clearly specify what the subject is less good for. This provides context and avoids ambiguity. For instance, "This strategy is great for short-term gains, but less good for long-term sustainability."

Common error

Avoid using "less good for" in situations where something is definitively bad or harmful. Instead, reserve it for comparisons where there are still some positive aspects, even if diminished. It's more accurate to say "detrimental to" or "harmful for" when describing outright negative effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less good for" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, typically used to express that something provides fewer benefits or is less suitable in a specific context than something else. As Ludwig AI suggests, its effectiveness lies in highlighting a comparative disadvantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less good for" serves as a versatile comparative, expressing that something isn't as beneficial or suitable as another option. While Ludwig AI identifies it as acceptable, it also suggests considering alternatives like "not as beneficial for" or "less suitable for" for a more polished tone. With strong presence across news, science, and business contexts, the key is to clearly specify what the subject is less good for, ensuring clarity and avoiding overgeneralization. Remember, it's best used for comparisons where some positive aspects remain, rather than outright negative situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less helpful for

Simple substitution of "good" with "helpful".

not as beneficial for

Replaces "less good" with a more formal synonym "beneficial".

less suitable for

Focuses on the appropriateness of something for a particular purpose.

less favorable for

Replaces "good" with "favorable", indicating a less positive outcome.

not as advantageous to

Uses "advantageous" to convey the idea of providing a benefit or positive outcome.

not ideal for

Suggests that something is not the perfect or most suitable option.

unfavorable to

Indicates something is not helpful or supportive.

detrimental to

Expresses a harmful or damaging effect, contrasting with being beneficial.

not conducive to

Implies that something does not promote or assist a desired outcome.

suboptimal for

Indicates performance below the ideal level.

FAQs

What does "less good for" mean?

The phrase "less good for" indicates that something is not as beneficial, suitable, or advantageous for a particular purpose or entity compared to something else. It implies a relative disadvantage rather than an absolute negative.

What are some alternatives to saying "less good for"?

You can use alternatives such as "not as beneficial for", "less suitable for", or "less favorable for" to express a similar meaning depending on the context.

Is "less good for" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "less good for" is commonly used, some may find it slightly awkward. Ludwig AI indicates it is acceptable. Using alternatives like "not as effective for" or "less suitable for" can sometimes sound more polished.

How can I use "less good for" in a sentence?

Use "less good for" to compare the suitability or effectiveness of something. For example, "While exercise is beneficial, overexertion is "detrimental to" recovery and thus "less good for" overall health."