far lesser chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far lesser chance" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to compare the likelihood of two events, but "lesser" is not commonly used with "far." Example: "There is a far lesser chance of rain today compared to yesterday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It is imperative that decision-making is sped up at every stage of the adoption process, as we know that by the time a child is four years old they already have a far lesser chance of being adopted than a baby.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you look at a far distance, there's a lesser chance of you throwing up.

WikiHow

The Wallabies are a far lesser team without him.

The Guardian - Sport

"On a far lesser scale to Jude," she says.

The Guardian - Books

The world would be a far, far lesser place without it".

The New Yorker

Texas appears to be the front-runner at the moment, with Michigan having a lesser chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Far lesser amounts were sent to food banks and homeless shelters as well.

The New York Times

This was a loss; the Rheinberger, although a serviceable entertainment, is a far lesser work.

The New York Times - Arts

Now 50, he occupies offices in a far lesser skyscraper - a smoked-glass affair in Midtown Manhattan.

The New York Times

This was also true, but to a far lesser degree, of the other unpaid magistrates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because none of the secondary runners will accept a slightly lesser chance of victory, then, they all, collectively, resign themselves to an almost certain chance of defeat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider alternatives like "much smaller chance" or "significantly lower probability" instead of using "far lesser chance".

Common error

Avoid combining "far" with comparative adjectives like "lesser" as it can sound awkward. "Far" typically modifies positive adjectives. For stronger emphasis on a reduced chance, consider "much smaller" or "significantly reduced" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far lesser chance" functions as a comparative, quantifying the degree to which a possibility or likelihood is diminished. It aims to express a significantly reduced probability. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the construction is questionable and could be improved.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "far lesser chance" aims to express a significantly reduced likelihood, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI highlights that alternatives like "much smaller chance" or "significantly lower probability" are more standard and precise. Although examples exist across various sources, including news and media, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing, particularly in formal contexts. Its usage is rare, and a more direct phrasing can improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much smaller chance

Replaces "far lesser" with "much smaller" offering a more common and grammatically sound alternative to indicate a significantly reduced probability.

much reduced possibility

Uses "much reduced" to directly indicate a significant decrease in the likelihood of something.

significantly lower probability

Substitutes the entire phrase to denote a notably decreased likelihood using more formal vocabulary.

considerably reduced likelihood

Emphasizes a substantial decrease in the possibility of something happening.

markedly decreased prospect

Focuses on the noticeable reduction in the outlook or expectation of an event.

distinctly smaller likelihood

Emphasizes the clear and evident reduction in the probability of an event.

substantially reduced odds

Replaces "chance" with "odds" and "far lesser" with "substantially reduced" to convey a significantly lower probability.

noticeably decreased probability

Highlights the easily observable decrease in the chance of something occurring.

appreciably diminished opportunity

Highlights the lessened availability or possibility for a specific opportunity.

notably slighter possibility

Indicates a slight, but still noticeable, reduction in the chance of something occurring.

FAQs

Is "far lesser chance" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "far lesser chance" is not considered standard written English. Alternatives like "much smaller chance" or "significantly lower probability" are generally preferred.

What's a more common way to say "far lesser chance"?

Phrases like "much smaller chance", "significantly lower probability", or "considerably reduced likelihood" are more frequently used and considered grammatically sound.

When might I use "far lesser chance"?

Although not ideal, "far lesser chance" might appear in informal contexts. However, for formal writing, it's best to opt for clearer alternatives like "much smaller chance" or "considerably reduced likelihood".

What are some alternatives to "chance" in "far lesser chance"?

Instead of "chance", consider using words like "probability", "likelihood", "prospect", or "opportunity". For instance, "significantly lower probability" or "markedly decreased prospect".