a lesser quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing amounts or quantities, indicating that one is smaller than another. Example: "The recipe calls for a lesser quantity of sugar than the original version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The aircraft could also carry about 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of bombs or a lesser quantity of rockets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The decreased weights recorded on the evenings of observation days 14 and 16 might be indicative of a lesser quantity of food brought to the nestlings on the previous nights.

Cornell University

Most truffle oils shouldn't cost more than the oil itself: one teaspoon of "truffle aroma," the amount typically used in an eight-ounce boftle of white truffle oil (black truffle oil is made with a lesser quantity of the same chemical) costs about 40 cents.

The New York Times - Food

In the EM + P + LRC1 % treatment, a large quantity of uncovered interstices and a lesser quantity of materials and organic fractions and bacteria were also observed.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

Kumar et al.[6] found that C was adsorbed more than R, suggesting that a lesser quantity of AC would be required to remove the same amount of C as compared to R in the individual compounds.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

I sort of hate to prick the balloon of hype and self-congratulation over the scalping of Aaron Schock, but the truth is that the guy's misdeeds really do not amount to a hill of beans, or even a lesser quantity of beans.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The horizontal circulation within the mixed layer also acts to convey fresh waters out of the Bay at these timescales, but in a lesser quantity compared to the vertical export.

Ocean Modelling

All 25,000 would have to be paid for by the chairman of the Elgin committee (that is, Rovelstad) at one time; a lesser quantity could not be issued.

Wikipedia

Rock fragments are in variable quantities and include micaceous and illitic mud clasts and fine-grained metamorphic and volcanic fragments to a lesser quantity (Fig. 4f).

Petroleum Science

This implies that lesser quantity of nitric oxide gets desorbed to the gas phase.

Chemical Engineering Journal

CANDU-NG reactor differ from traditional CANDU reactors in being cooled by light water, using enriched fuel and burnable poisons, having significantly lesser quantity of heavy water moderator.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two quantities, ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. For example, instead of just saying "a lesser quantity of", specify "a lesser quantity of sugar compared to flour".

Common error

Avoid using "a lesser quantity of" without a clear reference point. Ensure the reader understands what the quantity is being compared to. Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It specifies that the noun it modifies is present in a smaller amount compared to something else, either explicitly stated or implied. Ludwig examples show this usage in various contexts, from scientific studies to culinary recipes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lesser quantity of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a smaller amount or degree of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse fields, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes clear what you're comparing. Alternatives include "smaller amount of" and "reduced quantity of", which can provide stylistic variation. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller quantity of

Direct synonym, replacing "lesser" with "smaller" for simpler language.

reduced amount of

Replaces "quantity" with "amount" and "lesser" with "reduced", focusing on the decrease in size.

lower volume of

Substitutes "quantity" with "volume", suitable for measurable substances.

smaller proportion of

Changes "quantity" to "proportion", highlighting the relative size compared to a whole.

decreased amount of

Emphasizes the reduction in the amount, using "decreased" instead of "lesser".

less of

A more concise and informal way to express "a lesser quantity of".

a scarcity of

Focuses on the lack of quantity, indicating something is not readily available.

a deficiency of

Highlights the inadequacy of the quantity, suggesting it's below the required level.

a trickle of

Describes a very small, almost insignificant quantity, often used metaphorically.

a modicum of

Indicates a small but perhaps adequate quantity, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "a lesser quantity of" to indicate that one amount is smaller than another. For example, "The recipe requires "a lesser quantity of" salt than sugar."

What are some alternatives to "a lesser quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "smaller amount of", "reduced quantity of", or "lower volume of" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a lesser quantity of" or "less of"?

"A lesser quantity of" is generally more formal than "less of", which is more casual and conversational.

How does "a lesser quantity of" differ from "a smaller quantity of"?

While similar, ""a lesser quantity of"" implies a degree of comparison or reduction, whereas "a smaller quantity of" simply states that one amount is smaller. The difference is subtle and often interchangeable.