a lesser chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing probabilities or likelihoods, indicating that one option has a smaller probability than another. Example: "If we don't take action now, we will have a lesser chance of success in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Texas appears to be the front-runner at the moment, with Michigan having a lesser chance.

The New York Times - Sports

(My own preference is for tastier dark meat on the bone with a lesser chance of being overcooked).

The New York Times

N.F.L. teams have long believed that "10 gets you in," but realignment two seasons ago created, per conference, one more divisional winner, one fewer wild-card entrant and thus a lesser chance for a 10-victory team to make it as a wild card.

The New York Times - Sports

England have got a lesser chance than that.

BBC

For example, in Taiwan, individuals were asked how much they were willing to pay in increased utility costs to promote cleaner water (and thus a lesser chance of liver disease) and in increased cost of consumer goods to promote cleaner air (and thus a lesser chance of lung disease).

Agricultural and Food Economics

As illustrated by the purple markings and diamond points, two variables are associated with a lesser chance of reporting positive OTL: identifying as a woman versus identifying as a man3 and having no previous calculus experience versus having had taken calculus in high school.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"It is imperative that decision-making is sped up at every stage of the adoption process, as we know that by the time a child is four years old they already have a far lesser chance of being adopted than a baby.

The Guardian

Because none of the secondary runners will accept a slightly lesser chance of victory, then, they all, collectively, resign themselves to an almost certain chance of defeat.

The New Yorker

Two, many companies use software to automatically filter resumes, and generic resumes have a far lesser chance of making it through the initial round of screening.

Forbes

For each one-centimeter increase in tumor size, there was a 3% lesser chance of undergoing BCS.

BMC Cancer

Tell them Macs are more reliable and have a much lesser chance of getting viruses than Windows.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lesser chance", ensure you clearly specify what the chance is lesser than. Providing a clear comparison enhances the sentence's clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a lesser chance" when the actual difference in probability is negligible. Quantify the difference whenever possible to provide a more accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser chance" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object of a preposition or verb. It typically quantifies the degree of probability for an event, expressing a reduced likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

48%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lesser chance" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a reduced probability or likelihood of something happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits well in various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. It's often used to compare the probabilities of different outcomes, indicating that one scenario makes an event less likely. Related phrases include "a reduced likelihood" and "a smaller probability". When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define what the chance is lesser than to enhance clarity. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC frequently employ this phrase, remember to avoid overstating the reduction to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced likelihood

Focuses on the reduction of likelihood rather than chance.

a smaller probability

Emphasizes probability using a different adjective.

a decreased likelihood

Uses "decreased" to describe a reduced likelihood.

a lower possibility

Substitutes "chance" with "possibility" and "lesser" with "lower".

a weaker possibility

Focuses on the strength of the possibility.

a slimmer chance

Uses "slimmer" to describe a reduced chance. Implies a slight reduction.

a diminished prospect

Replaces "chance" with "prospect", implying a weaker outlook.

a reduced opportunity

Changes "chance" to "opportunity", focusing on the availability of a possibility.

a minimal prospect

Emphasizes the smallness of the chance using "minimal".

a lower risk

Shifts the focus to the element of risk involved.

FAQs

How can I use "a lesser chance" in a sentence?

You can use "a lesser chance" to describe a situation where the probability of something happening is reduced. For example, "Wearing a seatbelt gives you "a lesser chance" of serious injury in a car accident."

What are some alternatives to saying "a lesser chance"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a reduced likelihood", "a smaller probability", or "a lower possibility" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a lesser chance" or "a smaller chance"?

Both "a lesser chance" and "a smaller chance" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference, though "lesser" may imply a more significant difference in some contexts.

What is the difference between "a lesser chance" and "a minimal chance"?

"A lesser chance" indicates a reduced probability, while "a minimal chance" suggests the probability is extremely small. "A minimal chance" implies that the event is very unlikely to occur.