at the lesser

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the lesser" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to compare something to a lesser degree or amount, but it lacks context to be usable. Example: "The results were significant, but at the lesser end of the spectrum."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

A contingency budget is capped at the lesser of 120 percent of the consumer price index, or 4percentt over the previous year's budget.

The New York Times

We take pride in this imperial heritage, pointing with scorn at the lesser achievements of other European powers – the French, Italians, Germans, Belgians and Portuguese – whose empires we variously view as haplessly mismanaged, malignly exploitative and brutally coercive.

The Guardian - Opinion

It wouldn't be hard, on the 40th anniversary of the Sex Pistols laying siege at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, to argue that Manchester has produced more great music than anywhere else in Britain these last four decades.

The Guardian - Music

My job will eventually consist of being the last living witness of legendary musical moments in history such as the Sex Pistols' gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall Manchester on 4 June 1976.

The Guardian - Music

Warnings at the lesser yellow "be aware" level remain in place for Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England and the West Midlands until Tuesday night but forecasters said conditions will improve for a couple of days at least.

Independent

When celebrity chefs show up on TV these days, at least during prime time, they are less likely to be sautéing than to be swaggering through exotic locales (Anthony Bourdain) or swearing at the lesser mortals stuck with the grunt work (Gordon Ramsay).

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

I look at it as the lesser of two evils.

The Guardian

"MORE IS MORE: BEYOND MIES IN MIDTOWN" looks at the lesser-known examples of modernism, including the hotel designs of Morris Lapidus and the High School of Printing.

The New York Times - Arts

But a look at the lesser-known Romney, Lenore, suggests that in style, temperament and outlook, Mitt Romney is very much his mother's son.

The New York Times

I learned strategy not from Sam Houston (who avenged the Alamo at the lesser-known victory at San Jacinto), but from Nancy Drew, who, I imagined, lived in Connecticut.

The New York Times

The Troma team is keen on dropping names of celebrities who got their start at the lesser-known studio, tossing them back and forth like grade-school brags.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the lesser", ensure it's followed by a noun or phrase that clarifies what is being referred to. For instance, "at the lesser extent" or "at the lesser curvature" provides better context and meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "at the lesser" without specifying what it refers to. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Always provide a clear reference point for comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the lesser" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify a noun by indicating a diminished or reduced quality or quantity. As noted by Ludwig AI, its correctness and clarity depend heavily on the context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the lesser" is used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, but its grammatical correctness is often questionable. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase's clarity depends significantly on the context in which it's used. When using "at the lesser", it's best practice to specify the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "to a lesser extent" and "of the lesser" can provide more precise and grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a lesser extent

Changes preposition and adds a noun to convey reduced degree.

of the lesser

Emphasizes belonging to a smaller group or amount.

at the lower end

Focuses on the bottom part of a range or scale.

on the smaller side

Indicates a reduced size or quantity.

to a smaller degree

Highlights the reduced impact or significance.

in a minor capacity

Emphasizes a reduced role or function.

with less importance

Shifts focus to reduced significance or value.

at a reduced level

Indicates decreased intensity or amount.

to the minimal amount

Highlights the smallest possible quantity.

on the inferior side

Emphasizes lower quality or status.

FAQs

How can I use "at the lesser" in a sentence?

To use "at the lesser" correctly, ensure you specify what is being compared. For example, "The project succeeded, but "at the lesser extent" we had hoped for."

What does "at the lesser" mean?

"At the lesser" generally indicates something is present or occurring to a smaller degree, amount, or extent compared to something else. It requires context to be meaningful.

Which is correct, "at the lesser extent" or "to a lesser extent"?

"To a lesser extent" is generally more grammatically correct and commonly used. "At the lesser extent" may be acceptable in specific contexts but is less standard.

Can I use "at the lesser" to describe importance?

While you can use "at the lesser" to imply something has less importance, it's often clearer to use phrases like "of lesser importance" or "to a lesser degree of importance".