a lesser amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, typically in contexts where one amount is smaller than another. Example: "The project requires a lesser amount of resources than initially estimated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said the private school normally have a lesser amount of children which is quicker and easier for the store".

The Guardian

He was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal judge, even though a jury had concluded that Mr. Booker actually distributed a lesser amount of cocaine that would have resulted in a lesser sentence than the judge imposed.

The New York Times

If you are a buyer, it is not hard to see how to structure a deal to avoid a shareholder vote: just use cash or a lesser amount of stock.

The New York Times

Once again Washington would pay the vast bulk of the added cost, so states would be turning down a very good deal to save a lesser amount of money.

The New York Times

Magistrate Nair disregarded an informal agreement made between both legal teams for a lesser amount of bail money, and fewer conditions, choosing instead to impose a comprehensive set of restrictions.

Independent

In the summer higher 5-HT doses provoke a lesser amount of venoconstriction.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

As compensation, human body would absorb a lesser amount of oxygen as pressure drops.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

However, lipid accumulation may be lower in higher nitrogen concentrations and consequently resulting in a lesser amount of lipid productivity.

Botanical Studies

In fact, this particular mode will suffer a lesser amount of leakage loss compared to guided modes.

International Nano Letters

As Gary Marcus, the founder of Geometric Intelligence and NYU professor has pointed out, AI systems should be able to learn from a lesser amount of data.

TechCrunch

Liquid feed supplementation affected the particle size distribution of the ration, resulting in a lesser amount of short and a greater amount of fine particles.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure that the context clearly establishes what the "lesser amount" is being compared to. For example, "a lesser amount of time" requires specifying what it is less than.

Common error

Avoid using "amount" with countable nouns. "Amount" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "a lesser amount of water"), while "number" is for countable nouns (e.g., "a smaller number of cars").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser amount of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a smaller quantity of something, indicating a comparative relationship. Ludwig highlights its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lesser amount of" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for indicating a smaller quantity, as validated by Ludwig. It's commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts. While interchangeable with "a smaller quantity of", it's essential to use "amount" with uncountable nouns and "number" with countable nouns to maintain grammatical accuracy. When writing, clarify what the "lesser amount" is being compared to, and consider using more precise terms in formal settings for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller quantity of

This alternative uses "smaller" instead of "lesser", offering a more common synonym while maintaining the same structure and meaning.

a reduced quantity of

Replacing "lesser" with "reduced" emphasizes the action of decreasing the quantity, implying a deliberate reduction.

a diminished quantity of

"Diminished" suggests a gradual decrease, adding a nuance of depletion over time.

a lower volume of

Using "volume" specifies the quantity in terms of space or capacity, suitable when referring to liquids or three-dimensional objects.

a slighter measure of

"Slight" implies a barely perceptible difference in amount, suggesting a minimal reduction.

a minimal quantity of

"Minimal" denotes the least possible amount, emphasizing the insignificance of the quantity.

a scarcity of

This indicates that something is rare or that there is not enough of it.

a shortage of

Similar to "scarcity", this describes a deficiency or lack of something, often in comparison to a need or demand.

a deficit of

This term emphasizes a lack or insufficiency, often used in formal or technical contexts to indicate a shortfall.

a dearth of

Dearth refers to a scarcity or lack of something, emphasizing a severe deficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "a lesser amount of" in a sentence?

Use "a lesser amount of" to indicate a smaller quantity of something. For example, "The recipe calls for "a lesser amount of" sugar compared to the original recipe."

What's the difference between "a lesser amount of" and "a smaller amount of"?

While both phrases are similar, "a lesser amount of" is generally used for uncountable nouns, whereas "a smaller number of" is used for countable nouns. In practice, "smaller amount" is often used interchangeably but "lesser amount" is more formal.

Is it correct to say "a lesser amount of items"?

Technically, it is more grammatically correct to say "a smaller number of items", as "items" are countable. However, ""a lesser amount of"" is sometimes used informally, but stick with "number" for formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "a lesser amount of" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "a reduced quantity of", "a lower volume of", or "a diminished proportion of" to maintain formality and clarity.