much less efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'much less efficient' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things or processes that have different levels of efficiency. For example: "The old system of filing documents was much less efficient compared to the new system, which is automated and requires minimal human oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The specialization of being able to feed on particular diets especially efficiently often comes at the cost of being much less efficient when dealing with alternative diets.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Batteries are much less efficient.

The Guardian

But they are much less efficient.

The New York Times

This is a much less efficient procedure, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The offloading process becomes much less efficient at low temperatures.

The New York Times - Science

In the 1980s, companies were arguably much less efficient.

The New York Times

Online bookselling, in this respect, is "so much less efficient than a high-street bookshop".

The Guardian - Books

Additionally they work longer hours than their German and British counterparts, but are much less efficient.

The Guardian

But Hanergy had originally relied on a much less efficient material, amorphous silicon.

The New York Times

MP2 is less efficient than MP3, used by Napster, which is much less efficient than AAC, used by Apple's iTunes.

The Guardian

Raising taxes on high-income people seems to make the economy much less efficient and raises little revenue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing processes, use "much less efficient" to clearly indicate a significant disparity in resource utilization or performance. Ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "much less efficient" when the issue is about effectiveness or quality, not just resource utilization. Efficiency specifically relates to how well resources are used to achieve an outcome, not necessarily the outcome itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much less efficient" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing it as having a significantly lower level of efficiency compared to something else. Ludwig examples show its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much less efficient" is a versatile phrase used to convey a significant difference in efficiency across various contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in scientific and news domains. When using the phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and the context aligns with the specific meaning of efficiency, which relates to resource utilization, and if it does not, think of alternatives like "significantly less productive". Be mindful of its negative connotation and adjust your language accordingly. While commonly employed, alternatives can offer nuanced shades of meaning, as seen in the related phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less effective

Replaces "efficient" with "effective", shifting the focus slightly from resource use to overall outcome.

significantly less productive

Substitutes "efficient" with "productive", emphasizing output and results.

substantially less economical

Replaces "efficient" with "economical", highlighting cost-effectiveness.

far less streamlined

Focuses on the lack of smoothness and optimization, rather than overall efficiency.

not nearly as effective

Uses a different structure to express a lower degree of effectiveness, rather than efficiency.

noticeably less optimized

Emphasizes the lack of optimization, which contributes to lower efficiency.

appreciably less resourceful

Highlights reduced resourcefulness, a component of overall efficiency.

markedly less advantageous

Shifts the focus to the reduced benefits or advantages, instead of direct efficiency.

demonstrably less worthwhile

Emphasizes the diminished value or worth, which can result from low efficiency.

patently less useful

Focuses on the reduced utility, which can be a consequence of being inefficient.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "much less efficient" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "considerably less effective", "significantly less productive", or "substantially less economical" as alternatives to "much less efficient".

What are some common contexts where "much less efficient" is used?

"Much less efficient" is often used in contexts comparing technological processes, business operations, or scientific methods, as seen in examples from "science", "news & media", and "formal & business" sources.

Is "much less efficient" always negative?

Yes, "much less efficient" typically carries a negative connotation, indicating that something is significantly worse in terms of resource use or performance compared to something else. However, sometimes it can be used to objectively compare differences without necessarily implying negativity.

What's the difference between "much less efficient" and "slightly less efficient"?

"Much less efficient" implies a substantial difference in efficiency, while "slightly less efficient" indicates a marginal difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the disparity you want to convey.