provide a boost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide a boost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to giving support, encouragement, or an increase in performance or energy. Example: "The new marketing strategy is expected to provide a boost to our sales figures this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Improving global prospects should provide a boost.

The New York Times

Kristina Koznick could not provide a boost, either.

The New York Times - Sports

They also provide a boost to the shadow business.

The New Yorker

"I hope podcast technologies continue to provide a boost to the whole radio industry".

The Guardian

If successful, such measures should provide a boost to both productivity and growth.

The Guardian - Business

* The event is expected to provide a boost to domestic spending of between £400m and £620m.

Independent

Gronkowski's presence will provide a boost to the Patriots' running game.

The New York Times

That will provide a boost to the command and control capabilities of China's armed forces.

The Economist

Recent plankton blooms suggest a warmer Arctic will provide a boost to fisheries there, too.

The Economist

Government expenditure is not going to provide a boost, reflecting the coalition's commitment to austerity.

The Economist

The new music service is expected to provide a boost to Research in Motion.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provide a boost", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being improved or enhanced. For example, specify "provide a boost to sales" rather than just "provide a boost".

Common error

Avoid using "provide a boost" repetitively within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "give a lift", "stimulate growth", or "lend momentum" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate versatility in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide a boost" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating that something is giving support, encouragement, or an increase in performance or energy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provide a boost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies enhancing or improving something. According to Ludwig, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. The phrase is found in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its widespread acceptance and usage. For alternatives, consider "give a lift", "offer a surge", or "lend momentum" to avoid repetition and enrich your writing. Understanding its function and purpose can help you effectively communicate the idea of improving or stimulating a particular aspect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a lift

Replaces "provide" with "give" and "boost" with "lift", implying a similar act of raising or improving.

offer a surge

Uses "offer" instead of "provide" and "surge" instead of "boost", suggesting a sudden increase or improvement.

lend momentum

Emphasizes the aspect of increasing forward movement or progress.

stimulate growth

Focuses on encouraging expansion or development.

foster improvement

Highlights the nurturing or promotion of positive change.

accelerate progress

Emphasizes speeding up the rate of advancement.

bolster performance

Highlights strengthening or reinforcing how well something functions.

enhance capabilities

Focuses on improving or augmenting existing abilities.

fuel expansion

Implies providing the resources or energy needed for growth.

galvanize activity

Suggests sparking or stimulating action and energy.

FAQs

How can I use "provide a boost" in a sentence?

You can use "provide a boost" to indicate an improvement or enhancement. For example, "The new policy is expected to "provide a boost" to the economy."

What are some alternatives to "provide a boost"?

Alternatives include "give a lift", "offer a surge", or "lend momentum", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "provide a boost to" or "boost" directly?

Both are correct, but "provide a boost to" is often used when you want to emphasize the action of providing the improvement, while using "boost" directly can be more concise. For example: "This strategy will "provide a boost to" sales" versus "This strategy will boost sales."

In what contexts is "provide a boost" most appropriate?

The phrase "provide a boost" is versatile and appropriate in many contexts, including business, economics, sports, and general discussions where you want to express an increase or improvement. For example, "The new product launch should "provide a boost" to the company's revenue."