lower maintenance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lower maintenance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that requires less effort, care, or resources to maintain, often in contexts like products, services, or relationships. Example: "This new car model is designed to be lower maintenance, saving you time and money on repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Still, Boeing expects planes made with more composites to have lower maintenance costs, as well as lower weight.

The New York Times - Tech

To that savings add lower maintenance costs.

The New York Times

Condos usually have lower maintenance fees than co-ops.

The New York Times

Customers benefit from improved engine uptime and lower maintenance costs.

Harvard Business Review

"There were newer, similarly sized apartments with much lower maintenance," she said.

The New York Times

NATIVE plants can shape space, offer habitat for wildlife and lower maintenance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

For plantings, Mr. Beilharz specified lower-maintenance perennials.

The New York Times

"You couldn't meet a nicer, lower-maintenance boy than him.

The New York Times - Sports

Part of that, Telep said, is a byproduct of lower-maintenance players.

The New York Times

Yet until recently such less costly, lower-maintenance alternatives were virtually nonexistent in the Litchfield area.

The New York Times

If not immediately, then long-term, with a lower-maintenance setup?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, use "lower maintenance" to highlight the benefit of reduced time and costs associated with upkeep. For example, "Choosing LED lighting results in "lower maintenance" costs over time".

Common error

Avoid overstating the benefit. While something might have "lower maintenance", it doesn't mean it's maintenance-free. Be realistic about the level of care still required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower maintenance" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing a quality that something possesses. This implies a comparison, indicating that the item in question requires less upkeep than another, as Ludwig AI confirms with its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lower maintenance" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something requiring less upkeep than alternatives. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to science and business. When writing, use it to highlight the benefits of reduced costs and effort. While authoritative sources frequently employ the term, be sure to avoid overstating claims of minimal upkeep. Alternatives like "reduced upkeep" or "easy to maintain" may also suit different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced upkeep

Focuses on the reduction of effort required to keep something in good condition.

Minimal maintenance

Emphasizes the small amount of maintenance needed.

Easy to maintain

Highlights the simplicity of the maintenance process.

Low-effort upkeep

Combines the ideas of minimal effort and continuous upkeep.

Requires little attention

Shifts the focus to the reduced need for active involvement.

Simple to care for

Highlights the simplicity of the caring process.

Self-maintaining

Implies the system or object can largely maintain itself.

Virtually maintenance-free

Suggests that maintenance is almost unnecessary.

Effortless to preserve

Focuses on the ease with which something's condition can be maintained.

Presents reduced involvement

Highlights the minimal required participation of a person.

FAQs

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

Use "lower maintenance" to describe something that requires less upkeep compared to something else. For example, "This model is "lower maintenance" compared to the previous one".

What is a good alternative to "lower maintenance"?

Alternatives include "reduced upkeep", "minimal maintenance", or "easy to maintain" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lower maintenance" or "less maintenance"?

"Lower maintenance" is a more common and natural-sounding phrase than "less maintenance". While both are understandable, "lower maintenance" is generally preferred.

What does it mean when something is described as "lower maintenance"?

When something is described as "lower maintenance", it means that it requires less time, effort, and resources to keep it in good working order compared to alternatives. This can apply to products, services, or even lifestyles.