a lesser part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a smaller or less significant portion of something in comparison to other parts. Example: "In the grand scheme of the project, the marketing strategy is just a lesser part of our overall plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Whitburn's girlfriend, Josephine Mayo, was sentenced to four years for a lesser part in the campaign.

The Guardian

Normally, Nash would have played a lesser part in this drama.

The New York Times - Magazine

Theology plays a lesser part than history, culture, folklore, tradition and kinship.

The Guardian

In last week's testimony, Mr. Combs seemed to have played a lesser part in the melee at Club New York.

The New York Times

Blockley is currently serving a ban of two and a half years, having been found by the BHA to have played a lesser part in the plot than McKeown.

The Guardian - Sport

The initial premise of Samberg as hotshot maverick detective Jake Peralta being pulled into line by his new superior Captain Holt plays a lesser part as Brooklyn hit its stride in the second season.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Studies on the role of estrogen in human male bone pathophysiology have in part established a lesser role that previously pertained to androgens (Vanderschueren et al 2004; Rochira et al 2006).

Clinical interventions in aging

Fat was understood as an essential substance that formed a greater or lesser part of the body according to its constitution, and hence also according to sex, as the constitution associated with the female sex meant that women would have a greater store of fat than men.

Historical Research

Swimming of a typical fish occurs by undulations passing along a greater or lesser part of the body.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today only a greater or lesser part of the sides is left below the rim, depending upon the range required, but originally the oil drum was left intact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From "The Dick Van Dyke Show" in the 1960's to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 1970's to "Murphy Brown" in the 1980's, such series have been a consistent if lesser part of the prime-time landscape.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lesser part" when you want to downplay the importance or size of something relative to other things. For example, 'While funding is important, it plays "a lesser part" than dedication in this project.'

Common error

Avoid using "a lesser part" when you simply mean something is 'less'. Ensure you're using it to compare a portion of something, not describing something as generally inferior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser part" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something that is smaller or less significant relative to other things. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lesser part" is a versatile expression used to denote something smaller or less significant relative to other components. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific domains. While alternatives like "a smaller portion" or "a minor role" can be employed, "a lesser part" effectively highlights reduced importance or size. When using this expression, ensure that you're accurately comparing portions and not just describing something as generally inferior. Ludwig's comprehensive analysis underscores its practical utility and semantic precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller portion

Replaces 'part' with 'portion', emphasizing the quantity aspect.

a minor role

Substitutes 'part' with 'role', often used when referring to significance in a process or event.

a reduced share

Uses 'share' to indicate a smaller allocation or contribution.

a secondary component

Replaces 'part' with 'component', suitable when discussing elements of a system or structure.

a less significant aspect

Emphasizes the lower importance of the aspect being discussed.

a negligible segment

Highlights the insignificance of the segment in question.

a minimal element

Indicates the element is very small or unimportant.

a lower degree

Focuses on the reduced intensity or extent.

a smaller fraction

Similar to 'portion', but emphasizes that this is part of a whole.

a lighter aspect

Emphasizes that the aspect is not as important or heavy as something else.

FAQs

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

Use "a lesser part" to describe something that is smaller or less important compared to something else. For instance, "Effort is key to success, but talent plays only "a lesser part"".

What are some alternatives to "a lesser part"?

You can use alternatives like "a smaller portion", "a minor role", or "a reduced share" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a less part" instead of "a lesser part"?

No, "a less part" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "a lesser part", where "lesser" functions as an adjective indicating something of smaller size or importance.

What is the difference between "a lesser part" and "a smaller part"?

"A lesser part" often implies reduced significance or importance, while "a smaller part" primarily indicates a smaller quantity or size. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize importance or size.