a lesser state of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser state of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or situation that is inferior or not as advanced compared to another. Example: "The patient was diagnosed with a lesser state of anxiety compared to previous assessments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If we don't cooperate, we'll all be in a lesser state of the world.

The Economist

Sadness [Tristitiae, or "pain"], on the other hand, is the passage to a lesser state of perfection, also occasioned by a thing outside us.

SEP

This calls for further investigation but could indicate that unlike pastoralists who were either food secure or extremely food insecure, agro-pastoral households went into a lesser state of food insecurity (e.g. moderate) which fact was also reflected during focus group discussions.

Pastoralism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is a way of behaving such that one takes actions, conscious or unconscious, to keep those of other races pressed downward into weaker states of power and lesser states of freedom, with respect to everything from confidence and sense of self-worth, to economic mobility and education -- this oppression is accomplished through words, images, laws, policy, violent force, etc.

Huffington Post

This therefore implies that development of slow EEG rhythms cycling between relatively greater and lesser states of cortical arousal may represent the pathophysiological basis of cognitive fluctuation in PDD.

Brain

Berkshire: As a proud graduate of an, ahem, lesser state university, I was thrilled to see you go after the Ivy League, and to the out-sized deference accorded to graduates of Ivy League schools.

Huffington Post

To the south there were a number of lesser states, each with a chief who, like the ruler of Bunyoro-Kitara, combined priestly functions with those of a secular leader.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Russia's two largest channels, both government owned, and even on those with a lesser degree of state control, there is an uncritical deference to the nation's elected leader that would be unthinkable in Europe or the United States.

The New York Times

In both cases, the government used a law against interstate illegal activity to place federal charges for violation of lesser state laws against prostitution.

Vice

Today in the U.S. only Iowa, Arizona and, to a lesser extent, the state of Washington make honest efforts to draw honest nonpartisan districts.

Forbes

Moderate to high correlations with mostly child-related background variables were found for fears and anxiety for both parents at 6 weeks and 6 months, with coefficients ranging from -.30 to -.58 and to a lesser extent for state of mind for mothers at 6 weeks, ranging from -.23 to -.41.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lesser state of", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the state is lesser than to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a lesser state of" without clearly defining what the comparison is being made to. This can lead to confusion and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser state of" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a condition or situation that is inferior, reduced, or less advanced compared to another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lesser state of" is a grammatically sound way to describe a diminished or inferior condition. While relatively rare in usage, as noted by Ludwig, it appears across different contexts, notably in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the state is lesser than. Alternatives like "a reduced condition of" or "a diminished level of" can offer similar meanings with subtle variations. Given its formal tone, consider the audience and context to make sure it aligns with your overall writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced condition of

Focuses on the idea of reduction or decrease in a specific condition.

a diminished level of

Highlights the idea of something being reduced to a lower level.

an inferior position of

Emphasizes a lower or less favorable ranking or status.

a weaker form of

Suggests that something is not as strong or effective as another.

a lower degree of

Focuses on a reduced intensity or amount.

a less advanced stage of

Highlights that the stage isn't at the same level as another.

a substandard quality of

Emphasizes a lower level of quality or performance.

a compromised situation of

Indicates the state is not in its original shape and its function might be affected.

a secondary phase of

Highlights the fact that a process has been affected in its original form.

a regressed form of

Highlights the fact that something is reverting to a previous form.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lesser state of" to describe something that is in a diminished or reduced condition compared to something else. For example: "The patient was in "a lesser state of" health after the surgery."

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

Alternatives include "a reduced condition of", "a diminished level of", or "an inferior position of" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a lesser state of"?

While grammatically correct, "a lesser state of" may sound somewhat formal. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What's the difference between "a lesser state of" and "a worse state of"?

"A lesser state of" implies a reduction or diminution, while "a worse state of" implies a decline in quality or condition. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the reduction or the degradation.