less manpower

USAGE SUMMARY

"less manpower" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to having fewer people available to do work, usually because of economic or personnel constraints. For example, "The company has been forced to reduce their workforce, leaving them with less manpower to complete their projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Automation means manufacturing requires less manpower than before.

The Guardian

There's more CCTV, less manpower," said one practitioner.

The Guardian

"Illness and less manpower must be reckoned with under these circumstances.

Yale University

"The capability that I am providing comes at less manpower on the ground," General North said.

The New York Times

For a start, the UN has far less manpower than the US.

The Guardian

By comparison, trusts and estates work requires far less manpower, which mean far less profit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Israel's military, long a unifying social institution, not only needed to counter new dangers from states such as Iraq and Iran (which both had long-range missiles) but also had to face the difficulties of changing to a more technical, less manpower-intensive force.

Encyclopedia Britannica

America's teaching unions fear a hidden agenda of replacing properly trained humans with some combination of technology and less qualified manpower, or possibly just technology.

The Economist

The IDA method is attractive because it takes significantly less time and manpower than the traditional usability testing methods.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Sims said: "We're going to be less reliant on manpower, therefore we have got to rely more on better technology if we still want to improve policing and deliver it for less cost".

The Guardian

"Like influenza, despite million of dollars to prevent the flu and vaccinate people, we're always playing catch-up," he said, but with a salmon virus, there's "less money and manpower".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational changes, use "less manpower" to objectively describe a reduction in the number of employees needed for a task or operation. It's particularly useful when discussing the impact of technology or automation.

Common error

Avoid using "less manpower" in contexts where it might sound insensitive, such as when discussing layoffs or workforce reductions due to economic hardship. Instead, consider using more empathetic language like "workforce transition" or "restructuring".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less manpower" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable. It typically modifies a verb, adjective, or another noun to indicate a reduction or decrease in the number of personnel or workers needed or available.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less manpower" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a reduction in the number of workers needed for a specific task or operation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's important to consider the tone and sensitivity when using this phrase, especially in discussions about job losses. Alternatives like ""reduced workforce"" or ""leaner team"" may be more appropriate in certain situations. The phrase is prevalent in news, science, and formal business contexts, often associated with discussions on automation and efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced workforce

Focuses on the outcome of having fewer employees.

smaller staff

Emphasizes the size of the team or personnel.

leaner team

Highlights efficiency and resource optimization.

fewer employees

Directly states the decrease in the number of employees.

decreased staffing levels

Formal way to describe the reduction in personnel.

lower personnel costs

Focuses on the financial benefit of reducing staff.

optimized resource allocation

Highlights efficient use of available personnel.

streamlined operations

Focuses on process improvements that reduce labor needs.

automation-driven efficiencies

Emphasizes the role of automation in reducing manpower requirements.

downsized labor force

Emphasizes the fact that the company reduced staff size.

FAQs

What does "less manpower" mean?

The phrase "less manpower" refers to a situation where fewer personnel or workers are required or available to perform a task or operate a system. It often results from increased efficiency, automation, or budget constraints.

What are some alternatives to "less manpower"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced workforce", "smaller staff", or "leaner team" depending on the context. These alternatives may offer a more nuanced or sensitive way to describe changes in staffing levels.

How does automation relate to "less manpower"?

Automation is a key driver of "less manpower" in many industries. By automating tasks, companies can reduce the number of human workers needed, leading to increased efficiency and lower labor costs. This shift is reflected in many of the examples provided.

Is it appropriate to use "less manpower" when discussing job losses?

While "less manpower" is grammatically correct, it may not be the most sensitive phrase to use when discussing job losses. Consider using terms like "workforce reduction" or focusing on the reasons for the change, such as "increased efficiency" or "restructuring" to mitigate negative connotations.