less of a boost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a boost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the effectiveness or impact of something that provides a boost, indicating that it is not as significant as another option. Example: "The new marketing strategy provided less of a boost in sales than we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

What is less of a boost to Capriati is her record against Williams.

The Guardian - Sport

Companies with drugs in the later stages of development got less of a boost.

The New York Times

Legacies get less of a boost but are more numerous, and their admission is at least partly facilitated with an eye to future donations.

The Washington Post

Rival analyst Nate Cohn wrote in the New York Times on Wednesday that Clinton was getting less of a boost than expected from Trump's deep unpopularity among African American and Latino voters.

The Guardian

Analysts said they were shaving their growth forecasts for the world's second biggest economy as it emerged that trade would provide much less of a boost than expected in the first quarter of 2014.

The Guardian - Business

Yet Edward Wolff of New York University notes that the middle class enjoyed much less of a boost to wealth because of an accompanying rise in mortgage debt (see chart 3).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In the request, NASA's Science Mission Directorate gets far less of a boost a rise of just 0.8% to $5.289 billion.

Science Magazine

A new Blu-ray of Shane (Eureka, PG) handsomely polishes up a Hollywood western that needs less of a profile boost: the blend of stoicism and sentiment in George Stevens's 63-year-old film still cuts deep.

The Guardian - Film

They are also more likely to take lower-paying jobs without benefits, which means less of a spending boost once they go back to work, and more pressure on already strained government-provided health care.

The New York Times

One addition is "Survivor Mode," in which the enemies have been made tougher, and Vita-Chambers provide less of a health boost when used, making the player become creative in approaching foes and to rely more on the less-used plasmids in the game.

Wikipedia

The more recent studies also exhibited less range restriction, also requiring less correction (with much less possibility of a false boost to observed correlations).

Applied Developmental Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of a boost", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared and why the boost is considered less significant. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less of a boost" when the impact is negligible or non-existent. Choose a more accurate phrase like "no boost" or "no significant impact" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a boost" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate a reduced degree of positive effect or stimulus. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less of a boost" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It serves to qualify the degree of a positive impact, suggesting it is weaker than anticipated or compared to something else. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its tone is generally neutral. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what's being compared. Alternatives include "reduced benefit" and "diminished impact".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced benefit

Focuses on the decrease in positive outcome rather than the action causing it.

diminished impact

Emphasizes the weakened effect or influence.

weaker stimulus

Highlights the reduced intensity of the motivating factor.

limited advantage

Suggests the gain or edge is not as significant.

minor improvement

Indicates a small degree of progress or advancement.

smaller effect

Highlights the reduced magnitude of the consequence.

negligible gain

Suggests the increase or profit is barely noticeable.

marginal advantage

Indicates a slight or barely sufficient edge.

slight upturn

Emphasizes the gentle or gradual increase.

modest increase

Highlights a moderate or limited growth.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a boost" in a sentence?

You can use "less of a boost" to indicate that something provides a smaller or weaker benefit than expected or compared to something else. For instance, "The new marketing strategy provided "less of a boost" in sales than we anticipated."

What are some alternatives to "less of a boost"?

Some alternatives to "less of a boost" include "reduced benefit", "diminished impact", or "weaker stimulus". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less of a boost"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules for comparing the degree of impact or benefit.

What's the difference between "less of a boost" and "more of a boost"?

"Less of a boost" indicates a smaller or weaker positive effect, while "more of a boost" suggests a larger or stronger positive effect. They are antonyms used to describe the magnitude of an improvement or stimulus.