at a lesser extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a lesser extent" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "to a lesser extent." You can use it when comparing the degree to which something applies or is true, indicating that it applies less than another thing.
Example: "The new policy will benefit employees, but to a lesser extent, it will also impact management."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

and, at a lesser extent, by the α2 antagonist yohimbine (3 mg/kg i.p).

European Journal of Pharmacology

While the emphasis has been on 'discourse' and 'discussion' across all journals, the related concepts of 'talk', 'conversation', 'dialogue' and 'negotiation' were observed at a lesser extent.

International Journal of STEM Education

Besides the substitutions on site M-site, it is well established that several species can substitute Fe, SO4, and at a lesser extent, OH, which are structural components of jarosite-type compounds [14].

Geochemical Transactions

In particular, most of the applications of Neural Computation techniques, considered here in a broad sense, focus on the prediction of a variety of wave energy parameters by means of Multilayer Perceptrons and, at a lesser extent, by Support Vector Machines, and Extreme Learning Machines.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

CG particles interact at a lesser extent with PDMS (less RAFfiller), while their presence results in suppression of rate and degree of crystallization (i.e. opposite effects than those of CNTs), so that contributions to RAF could be separated in that case.

Polymer

Dystrobrevin was observed in dystrophin-positive and, at a lesser extent, utrophin-positive areas.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Cdc2-Tyr15 is phosphorylated by Wee1 kinase, which phosphorylates Cdc2 at Tyr15, and by Myt1 kinase, which phosphorylates Cdc2 at Thr14 and, to a lesser extent, at Tyr15 [ 7, 8].

Breast Cancer Research

These differences were magnified by subsequent windstorms, which severely damaged some fragments at Dimona and to a lesser extent at Porto Alegre, yet left the Esteio fragments unscathed.

Plosone

Consistent with the ChIP-seq data, KAP1 enrichment was detected at IAP and to a lesser extent at MMERVK10C LTRs.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

As the team found, survey expertise resides at headquarters and, to a lesser extent, at regional levels, while the locus of technical decision making is at the country level.

Unicef

In their analysis of mammalian DNA, Ramsahoye et al. [ 30] found that embryonic stem cells, but not somatic tissues, have significant cytosine-5 methylation at CpA and, to a lesser extent, at CpT.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct phrase "to a lesser extent" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. This avoids confusion and maintains a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "at a lesser extent". The correct preposition is "to", not "at". Always double-check your preposition usage to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a lesser extent" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to modify a verb or clause by indicating the degree to which an action or state occurs. However, Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect; the standard form is "to a lesser extent."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at a lesser extent" appears in various scientific texts, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the proper form is "to a lesser extent", which is used to compare the degree to which something applies. Remember to use "to a lesser extent" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing. Alternatives like "to a smaller degree" or "less significantly" can also be used. Always prioritize grammatical correctness and choose precise language to improve the quality and credibility of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a smaller degree

Emphasizes the reduced level on a measurable scale.

to a reduced degree

Highlights that the extent has been diminished.

to a lower degree

Focuses on the lowered position on a comparative scale.

to a smaller scale

Indicates a reduction in the size or scope of the impact.

to a limited extent

Stresses the boundaries or constraints on the impact.

to a minimal extent

Highlights the slightness or insignificance of the impact.

less significantly

Emphasizes the reduced importance or consequence.

less markedly

Focuses on the reduced visibility or noticeability.

to a slighter extent

Emphasizes the smallness or delicacy of the impact.

less prominently

Highlights the reduced visibility or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "to a lesser extent" in a sentence?

Use "to a lesser extent" to indicate something is true or applicable, but not as much as something else. For example, "The policy benefited employees, but "to a lesser extent", it affected management."

What is the difference between "at a lesser extent" and "to a lesser extent"?

"At a lesser extent" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""to a lesser extent"", which means 'not as much' or 'not as greatly'.

Is "to a smaller extent" the same as "to a lesser extent"?

Yes, "to a smaller extent" and ""to a lesser extent"" are interchangeable. Both indicate that something is true or applicable, but not as much as something else.

What are some alternatives to saying "to a lesser extent"?

You can use alternatives like "to a smaller degree", "less significantly", or "to a limited extent" depending on the context.