limited gains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'limited gains' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe small, restricted or minimal achievements or benefits. Example: Despite their efforts, the team saw only limited gains in their sales numbers this quarter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

However, because resources are limited, gains for women and minorities necessarily equal losses for white males.

The New York Times

"There will only be limited gains, if any, for the B.J.P. or regional parties [like the Samajwadi Party]," he said.

The New York Times

Falls in hours worked are quite close to those at a similar point in the earlier downturns.The limited gains from flexibility suggest that there is still much pain to come.

The Economist

In [26], it has been demonstrated from an analytical perspective that cooperative schemes have fundamentally limited gains.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A reliance on cost-cutting to make numbers, and weak economic data, have limited gains as investors remain unsure about the pace of growth.

Forbes

Speaking by telephone from his headquarters in Kuwait, Weidley, the chief of staff for the U.S. command leading the campaign against the IS group, suggested the militants were trying to inflate the significance of what he called limited gains in Ramadi.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Recommendations on sample-size calculation for headache prevalence suggest limited gain from samples of > 2000 participants [20].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Since the performance of our scheme has very limited gain when γSD≤0.7 dB, this is not a restrictive constraint.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Standard & Poor 's/TSXcomposite index, in Canada, added 0.1percentt, with technology shares limiting gains.

The New York Times

IBM, by contrast, already makes all of its PCs in low-cost countries, limiting gains for Lenovo.

The Economist

It is also possible that big recoveries in oil and gas will be met with skepticism about their staying power, limiting gains in stocks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limited gains", consider quantifying the gains if possible to provide a clearer picture of the actual outcome. For example, instead of saying "the marketing campaign achieved limited gains", specify "the marketing campaign achieved limited gains, resulting in a 5% increase in sales".

Common error

Avoid using "limited gains" when the actual outcome resulted in significant positive change. Ensure that the gains genuinely reflect a small or restricted degree of progress. Use stronger terms like "substantial gains" or "significant improvements" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited gains" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes the extent or degree of achievement, emphasizing its restriction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "limited gains" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe minimal or restricted progress or benefits. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for various contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent appearance in news articles and scientific publications, highlighting situations where expectations were not fully met. When using "limited gains", it's crucial to accurately reflect the degree of progress and consider quantifying it for better clarity. While alternatives like "marginal improvements" and "modest progress" exist, "limited gains" offers a neutral and objective tone suitable for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginal improvements

Focuses on the small degree of improvement, emphasizing the slight change.

modest progress

Highlights the moderate advancement achieved, suggesting a restrained level of success.

small advances

Emphasizes the diminutive nature of the progress made.

meager benefits

Stresses the insufficiency of the advantages or profits gained.

restricted advantages

Highlights the constrained or confined nature of the benefits.

minimal headway

Indicates very little forward movement or progress.

slight betterment

Focuses on the small degree of positive change or improvement.

reduced profits

Emphasizes the decrease in financial gains or earnings.

contained advancements

Highlights that the advancements or developments are kept within certain boundaries or limits.

circumscribed progress

Indicates that the progress is restricted or confined within certain limits.

FAQs

How can I use "limited gains" in a sentence?

You can use "limited gains" to describe situations where progress or benefits are minimal or restricted. For example, "Despite the effort, the project yielded only "limited gains"."

What are some alternatives to saying "limited gains"?

Alternatives to "limited gains" include "marginal improvements", "modest progress", or "small advances" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "limited gains" in formal writing?

Yes, "limited gains" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and objective way to describe minimal or restricted progress in various contexts.

What's the difference between "limited gains" and "no gains"?

"Limited gains" indicates that some progress or benefits were achieved, though minimal, while "no gains" implies that there was absolutely no progress or benefit whatsoever. The phrase "no gains" suggests complete lack of success.