a lesser skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a skill that is considered to be of lower importance or proficiency compared to another skill. Example: "While he excels in programming, he acknowledges that public speaking is a lesser skill for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If screenwriting was a lesser skill, why couldn't they do it?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A poet of lesser skill would surely have wilted at the task — that such deadlines would kill the laureate's inspiration was a concern throughout the arduous selection of Andrew Motion's successor.

The New Yorker

Results: Contrary to the research hypothesis, it was found that the highly skilled batsmen were only distinguishable from batsmen of lesser skill by their higher degree of global mental toughness.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

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Vice

Therefore, given the potential savings in consumables, wastage, and operator time, as well as the lesser skill level needed, it would be reasonable to recommend the multi-puncture Tine as a screening tool for childhood TB in developing regions with limited funds, equipment, and a shortage of health care personnel.

Plosone

The results have implications for consideration of culturally acceptable options that increase demand or use of health workers with lesser skill levels.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

But he was re-elected in 2006 despite a corruption scandal that would have felled a politician of lesser skills.

The Economist

Do not alienate a player with lesser skills by not playing them in the games.

WikiHow

Another symptom of a true shortage: "Take people with lesser skills and train them up," Wadwha says.

Science Magazine

Not content with praise for his acting and directing, Billy Bob Thornton indulges his lesser skills: songwriting and what passes for singing.

The New York Times

As a result, a revolutionary change in the technology of airframe production occurred, shifting from "job shops" with craft labour to assembly lines with workers of lesser skills.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing skills, use "a lesser skill" to objectively denote a difference in proficiency or importance, avoiding overly negative connotations. Instead of saying "He lacks communication skills", consider "Communication is a lesser skill for him compared to his analytical abilities".

Common error

Avoid framing "a lesser skill" as a complete deficiency. Instead, acknowledge it as an area for potential growth or a skill that is simply not as strong as others. For instance, instead of stating "She has a lesser skill in negotiation", rephrase it as "Negotiation is an area where she could further develop her skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser skill" functions as a descriptive modifier preceding a noun. It serves to qualify or specify that the skill being referred to is of a lower degree, importance, or proficiency when compared to other skills or abilities. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lesser skill" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a skill that is of lower importance or proficiency compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while it's not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science and encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, ensure you're objectively comparing skills and avoid negative connotations. Alternatives like "a secondary skill" or "a minor skill" can offer similar meanings. The phrase works by functioning as a descriptive modifier that compares and qualifies the level of expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a secondary skill

Indicates a skill that is supportive or supplementary, rather than primary.

a minor skill

Emphasizes the skill's reduced significance or scope.

a subordinate skill

Highlights that the skill is lower in a hierarchy or less essential.

a weaker skill

Directly describes the skill as being less developed or proficient.

a less developed skill

Focuses on the skill's stage of progression and potential for improvement.

an inferior skill

Suggests a lower quality or standard compared to other skills.

a rudimentary skill

Implies the skill is basic and at an early stage of learning.

a basic skill

Highlights that the skill is fundamental, but perhaps not advanced.

a limited skill

Indicates that the skill has a restricted range or capacity.

a deficient skill

Emphasizes a lack or inadequacy in the skill.

FAQs

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

Use "a lesser skill" to compare the relative proficiency or importance of one skill compared to another. For example, "While she excels in coding, public speaking is "a lesser skill" for her".

What are some alternatives to "a lesser skill"?

Alternatives include "a secondary skill", "a minor skill", or "a weaker skill", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a lesser skill"?

Not necessarily. It can be a neutral way to acknowledge differences in proficiency. The tone depends on the context and how it's framed. It's often best to follow up by noting that the person or entity is competent in the skill nonetheless or is working on it.

What's the difference between "a lesser skill" and "lack of skill"?

"A lesser skill" implies some ability exists, but it's not as strong as other abilities. "Lack of skill" implies a complete absence of ability. For example, "He has "a lesser skill" in data analysis compared to statistical modeling", versus "He has a lack of skill in computer programming, having never coded before".