low maintenance

USAGE SUMMARY

"low maintenance" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that requires minimal effort or upkeep. For example, "We recently adopted a low maintenance pet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Low maintenance?

The New York Times

"They are low maintenance, unostentatious.

The New York Times

"He's not low maintenance".

The New York Times - Sports

"I am low maintenance.

The Guardian - Sport

Ozzie is low maintenance".

The New York Times - Sports

By contrast, Brad is relatively low maintenance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

I'm fairly low-maintenance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's also super-low-maintenance.

The New York Times

"They are very low-maintenance".

The New York Times

It is super low-maintenance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The achievement beard is definitionally low-maintenance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "low maintenance" to emphasize efficiency and reduced resource needs, especially in technical or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something described as "low maintenance" requires absolutely no attention. It simply means the required effort is minimal, not nonexistent. Even "low maintenance" gardens need occasional watering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low maintenance" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun requires minimal effort or resources to maintain. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

24%

Huffington Post

16%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low maintenance" is a commonly used adjective phrase that signifies minimal effort or resources needed for upkeep. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile usage across various contexts, including news, wiki, and science. While generally positive, it's important to be aware of potential misinterpretations. Alternatives like "easy to care for" or "undemanding" can offer nuanced expressions. Remember that even things labeled as "low maintenance" still require some level of attention. The phrase's neutrality makes it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy to care for

Focuses on the ease of providing care, particularly relevant when referring to pets or plants.

undemanding

Highlights the lack of requirements or expectations.

minimal upkeep

Emphasizes the reduced effort needed for upkeep or maintenance.

easygoing

Describes a person or thing that is relaxed and not requiring much attention.

self-sufficient

Stresses the ability to function without external assistance.

trouble-free

Indicates a lack of problems or difficulties.

requiring little attention

Directly states the need for minimal attention or care.

effortless

Suggests something that is achieved with no apparent effort.

uncomplicated

Implies a lack of complexity or difficulty.

easy to manage

Focuses on the ease of handling or controlling something.

FAQs

How can I use "low maintenance" in a sentence?

You can use "low maintenance" to describe anything that doesn't require much effort or upkeep. For example, "This plant is very "low maintenance" and only needs watering once a week."

What does it mean when someone is described as "low maintenance"?

Describing a person as "low maintenance" usually means they are easygoing, undemanding, and don't require a lot of attention or effort to please. However, be mindful of the context, as it can sometimes imply a lack of ambition.

What are some synonyms for "low maintenance"?

Alternatives to "low maintenance" include "easy to care for", "undemanding", "minimal upkeep", and "easygoing", depending on the specific context.

Is it always positive to be considered "low maintenance"?

While generally positive, implying ease and lack of complication, being labeled "low maintenance" could sometimes suggest a lack of engagement or ambition. The connotation depends heavily on the situation and the speaker's intent.