a lesser fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a smaller part or portion of a whole, often in a mathematical or comparative context. Example: "In the study, a lesser fraction of participants reported experiencing side effects compared to the control group."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Skilled people saw their marginal tax rates increase less because a number of the new subsidies were fixed dollar amounts, and a fixed dollar amount is a lesser fraction of what a skilled person can earn than it is a fraction of what an unskilled person can earn.

The New York Times

Many people in the public think so, quite a few doctors think something like that, although a lesser fraction than the general public.

Huffington Post

By equilibrium sedimentation, Khokhlatchev et al. [13] determined that phosphorylated ERK2 sediments primarily as an 84 kDa species, whereas unphosphorylated ERK2 migrates as a mixture of a lesser fraction of 84 kDa and a predominant fraction of a 42 kDa species.

Plosone

A lesser fraction is non-specifically bound to albumin and only a small percentage of the testosterone is unbound.

BMJ Open

Although the state 5 (active genes on the X chromosome) appeared to be similarly represented by open and closed chromatin in the whole-genome study, analysis focusing on the X chromosome showed this state representing about 40% of open and a lesser fraction of closed chromatin.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Over the span of 4 weeks the ejection fraction (EF, Fig. 6c) in the control group (saline-injected infracted animals) decreased from 76.8±6.9% to 38.0±10%, while for the CPC-treated infracted animal group there was a lesser ejection fraction decrease (79.9±4% to 63.1±3%) which was also comparable to that of the sham groups, thus, indicating preserved hemodynamic function.

Plosone

Optimized DPI formulation contained lesser fraction of ultrafine particle (<500 nm) with the major fraction of submicron particles (>500 nm), advocated for better targeting to lungs.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

The markedly lesser fraction of ARFs >750 bases relative to ORFs in these genomes indicate that the long non-conforming ORFs in these genomes arose through a selective biological process.

Plosone

The mitosomal marker protein IscU was particularly enriched in fraction #4 and to a lesser extent in fraction #3 (Fig. 1B).

Plosone

The very same genes, or at least half of them, are carried by each of an individual's siblings, with lesser fractions shared by uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.

The New York Times - Science

Findings from these studies reveal diets dominated by fine particulate detritus, usually of undetermined origin, mixed with lesser fractions of algae, other plant matter, and occasionally benthic invertebrates.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lesser fraction", ensure the comparison is clear and that the context provides a reference point for what the fraction is being compared to. This clarifies the magnitude of the difference being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a lesser fraction" without specifying what it is less than. Always provide a clear reference point to ensure the comparison is meaningful and understandable. For example, instead of saying 'A lesser fraction of students passed', specify 'A lesser fraction of students passed compared to last year'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser fraction" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a smaller proportion or part of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lesser fraction" is a grammatically correct way to indicate a smaller proportion or part. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is valid in English. It's most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts and is best used when a clear comparison is intended. Alternatives like "a smaller proportion" or "a reduced portion" can be used for variety. Remember to specify what the fraction is being compared to in order to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller proportion

Replaces "fraction" with "proportion", emphasizing the comparative size of the part relative to the whole.

a reduced portion

Substitutes "fraction" with "portion" and "lesser" with "reduced", highlighting a decrease in the amount.

a smaller segment

Emphasizes a distinct part of the whole that is smaller in size.

a diminished quantity

Highlights the reduced amount of something, focusing on the quantitative aspect.

a lower percentage

Uses "percentage" instead of "fraction", making it more suitable for statistical contexts.

a slighter amount

Replaces "lesser" with "slighter", indicating a small difference in quantity.

a smaller share

Implies that the portion is a part of a divided whole.

a minority segment

Highlights the smallness in terms of being a minority compared to other segments.

a reduced incidence

Focuses on the decrease in occurrence or frequency of something.

a lower incidence rate

This phrase uses rate to give an insight on a population that has less occurrences of the same instance.

FAQs

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

Use "a lesser fraction" to indicate that a portion is smaller than another. For example, "A lesser fraction of the budget was allocated to marketing this year compared to last year".

What's a good alternative to "a lesser fraction"?

Alternatives include "a smaller proportion", "a reduced portion", or "a lower percentage", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what "a lesser fraction" is being compared to?

Yes, for clarity, it's important to specify the basis of comparison. Otherwise, the statement can be vague. For example, it's better to say "a lesser fraction compared to the previous year" than just "a lesser fraction".

How does the context affect the choice of using "a lesser fraction" versus "a smaller amount"?

"A lesser fraction" is best when referring to parts of a whole or proportions, while "a smaller amount" is suitable for referring to quantities of something. For example, "a lesser fraction of the population" versus "a smaller amount of water".