a lesser number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, indicating that one number is smaller than another. Example: "In this survey, a lesser number of participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lesser number of protists employ pseudopodia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may conduct meetings.

Cornell University

With increasing the negative voltage, the surface became smoother with a lesser number of particles.

Surface and Coatings Technology

But the map also includes a lesser number of spots that are fifteen hundred feet from a road.

The New Yorker

Sick leave balances will not be reduced for employees who change their normal work week from a greater to a lesser number of hours after reaching age 65.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But professionals of wide experience — Orson Welles, for one — have caved in under a lesser number of chores than Brando planned to assume.

The New Yorker

Both adults and larvae of most species are predators feeding on small-sized invertebrates, with a lesser number of larvae being scavengers.

The Guardian

The homoeomerous type of thallus consists of numerous algal cells distributed among a lesser number of fungal cells, while the heteromerous thallus has a predominance of fungal cells.

Britannica

Construction waste management has become extremely important due to stricter disposal and landfill regulations, and a lesser number of available landfills.

Procedia Engineering

Compared to the conventional finite element method, a lesser number of elements will be used in the proposed method for modeling a building structure.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

The method uses a least squares based plane fitting procedure and this results in a lesser number of design variables for optimization than existing approaches.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two sets of data, use "a lesser number" to clearly indicate which set has a smaller quantity. For example, "A larger number of students preferred the online course format, while a lesser number chose in-person classes."

Common error

Avoid using "lesser" when "fewer" is more appropriate. "Lesser" typically refers to abstract quantities or degree, while "fewer" is used for countable items. For example, it's correct to say "fewer cars" not "lesser cars". However, "a lesser amount of effort" is valid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a pre-determiner modifying a noun. It indicates that the following noun represents a quantity smaller than another quantity, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lesser number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a smaller quantity or amount compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While often interchangeable with alternatives like "a smaller number" or "a reduced number", it is important to use "fewer" instead of "lesser" when referring to countable items. The phrase is prevalent in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, remember to use "a lesser number" to indicate a smaller quantity and reserve "fewer" for countable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced number

Highlights the decrease in count.

a lower count

Focuses on the numerical value being reduced.

a lower quantity

Directly contrasts with a higher amount.

a smaller quantity

Focuses on the amount rather than the count.

a smaller amount

Emphasizes the diminutive nature of the quantity.

a reduced amount

Emphasizes the decrease from a previous quantity.

a diminished quantity

Highlights a reduction in size or extent.

a smaller proportion

Focuses on the relative size of a part compared to the whole.

a minority

Implies a smaller group or faction.

a handful

Refers to a small and easily manageable quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a lesser number" to indicate a smaller quantity or amount compared to something else. For example, "A greater number of people attended the first event, while a lesser number attended the second."

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

You can use alternatives like "a smaller number", "a reduced number", or "a lower number" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a lesser number" or "fewer number"?

"A lesser number" is generally considered correct when referring to a quantity that is not precisely countable or when making a comparison of degree. "Fewer number" isn't standard. It's more appropriate to use "fewer" with countable nouns directly, like "fewer items".

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

While both phrases indicate a reduced quantity, "a smaller number" is more common and generally applicable. "A lesser number" might imply a diminished importance or degree, in addition to quantity, though the difference is often subtle.