a little bit lesser

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little bit lesser" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would be "a little bit less." Example: "I feel a little bit less confident about my presentation today than I did yesterday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"With respect to the intrastate service, we are providing much better service for people who live on the east end who are working in Stamford and to a little bit lesser extent in Greenwich".

The New York Times

But the point of opposing abortion is, of course, to remind women that they're a little bit lesser.

Vice

I don't just identify as poly, I identify as solo poly, which is a little bit lesser known... Solo poly is where instead of fully combining your life with someone else, you retain your sense of autonomy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I identify as solo poly, which is a little bit lesser-known.

Vice

About, you know, a) who are these people that are reacting to Trump and what have we done to help create that, is a little bit of the lesser of two evils, instead of what are real changes and how do we serve the people.

Huffington Post

Mr. Lesser calls his boss "a little bit of a Nutty Professor," and the professor calls Mr. Lesser a cross between Nurse Ratched in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and M*A*S*H's Radar O'Reilly.

The New York Times

We just think it might be a little bit more fun to adventure into the lesser known corners.

Huffington Post

You must want to vote, stay a little bit informed, make the time and yes, sometimes vote for the lesser of two evils.

The New York Times

Mr. Lesser describes his own job this way: "It's a little bit of a caretaker position".

The New York Times

A A little bit.

The New York Times

/ A little bit anyhow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a little bit lesser" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "slightly less" or "a bit less" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

The word "lesser" is typically used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "the lesser evil"). Using it adverbially with "a little bit" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "less" as the adverbial comparative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little bit lesser" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to quantify the degree to which something is reduced or diminished. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It aims to express a slight reduction but fails due to improper usage of the word 'lesser'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a little bit lesser" aims to express a slight reduction or decrease, it is grammatically incorrect. As noted by Ludwig AI, the correct comparative form is "less", not "lesser", in this context. The phrase appears rarely, primarily in news and media sources. For clearer and more accurate communication, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "slightly less" or "a bit less". Therefore, while the intent might be understood, avoiding "a little bit lesser" will enhance the credibility and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly less

Uses 'slightly' instead of 'a little bit' and 'less' which is grammatically correct instead of 'lesser'.

a bit less

Replaces "little bit" with "bit" for brevity and uses the correct comparative form "less".

not quite as much

Employs a more verbose construction emphasizing the difference in quantity or degree.

somewhat smaller

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more formal and precise alternative focusing on size or quantity.

marginally reduced

Offers a more formal and quantifiable sense of reduction, suitable for technical contexts.

barely diminished

Focuses on the idea of lessening or reduction, implying that the change is minimal.

minimally decreased

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and precise alternative focusing on a minimal reduction.

a shade under

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a slight difference, implying a comparison to a standard or expectation.

to a slightly smaller degree

Provides a formal and precise way to express a small difference in extent or intensity.

a tad lower

Uses the informal "tad" to indicate a small amount, combined with the correct comparative "lower".

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a little bit lesser"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. The correct form is "a little bit less". "Lesser" is typically used as an adjective before a noun, not as an adverbial comparative.

What are some alternatives to "a little bit lesser"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly less", "a bit less", or "somewhat smaller" depending on the context.

When should I use "less" instead of "lesser"?

"Less" is used as a comparative adverb or pronoun to indicate a smaller amount or degree. "Lesser" is an adjective meaning smaller or less important and is used before a noun (e.g., "the lesser of two evils"). Use "less" for comparisons of quantity or degree.

How can I avoid making mistakes with comparative forms like "less" and "lesser"?

Pay attention to the grammatical role of the word. If you're modifying a noun, use "lesser". If you're indicating a smaller quantity or degree, use "less". For instance, "less time" versus "the lesser amount of time".