less reputation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less reputation" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to convey a lower level of reputation; the correct form would be "lesser reputation." Example: "The company suffered a lesser reputation after the scandal, affecting its customer base."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

An empirical study from Dunkelberg (1998) shows that due to less reputation and credit constraint, the information asymmetries of young firms are growing.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Early career researchers are more vulnerable to setbacks, such as being scooped, as they typically have less reputation and job security to fall back on if something does go wrong.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

A million F-Series trucks sold last year, and even if a tiny percentage of those were to be electric it would be a huge barrier to entry for companies with less reputation.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In more modern times, the canal assumed a less noble reputation.

The New York Times - Arts

Under this the army, which has a less brutal reputation, will accompany interior-ministry forces on all their raids.

The Economist

Most were open to people of both sexes; in sleazier areas, sento had a rather less innocent reputation.

The Economist

Germany's poets had a less noble reputation: they lunged for their Lugers at the first opportunity.

The Guardian - Books

In recent years, however, it has developed a decidedly less glamorous reputation as one of the city's most troubled condominium conversions.

The New York Times

Mountain bikers have a less ascetic reputation than their road-riding colleagues, and in keeping with this the price includes not just three meals a day but also as much beer and wine as you choose to drink.

The Guardian - Travel

But the produce developed a less wholesome reputation when the Sumerian God Gozer took the form of a 112ft Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and rampaged through the streets of Manhattan in a bid to destroy the human world.

The Guardian

Last April Messrs Gates and Ozzie joined forces.One reason why Mr Gates is so drawn to Mr Ozzie is that, as Mr Gates has said, "Ray is incredible at thinking of the end-user experience," an area where Mr Gates, whose own genius is weighted towards business strategy rather than software finesse, has a less stellar reputation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical correctness, prefer "lesser reputation" or "lower reputation" instead of "less reputation".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" or "lesser" is more appropriate. "Less" typically modifies uncountable nouns, while "fewer" is used for countable nouns. "Lesser" is appropriate here because it acts as an adjective describing the degree of reputation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less reputation" functions as a noun phrase aiming to describe a diminished standing or negative public perception. Though grammatically questionable, it appears in various contexts attempting to convey a reduction in positive regard, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less reputation" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI suggests that "lesser reputation" or "lower reputation" are more grammatically correct alternatives. The phrase aims to convey a diminished public standing, often due to negative events or a decline in trust. Though usage is relatively rare, it appears across news, scientific, and general contexts. Always consider using the more precise "lesser reputation" for better grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lower reputation

Direct synonym, indicating a reduced positive public perception.

Diminished reputation

Suggests a decline in positive standing over time.

Tarnished reputation

Implies damage or staining of one's good name.

Damaged reputation

Indicates harm to one's public image.

Poor reputation

Simple term for a negative public perception.

Bad reputation

Similar to 'poor reputation', but slightly more informal.

Unfavorable reputation

Highlights the negative aspects of the public perception.

Compromised reputation

Indicates that the reputation has been put at risk or weakened.

Questionable reputation

Suggests uncertainty or doubt about the quality of the reputation.

Less than stellar reputation

Euphemistic way of saying that the reputation is not good.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "less reputation"?

While you might encounter the phrase "less reputation", it's more accurate to say "lesser reputation" or "lower reputation". The word "lesser" correctly modifies the noun, indicating a reduced degree of reputation.

What does "less reputation" imply?

The phrase "less reputation" generally suggests a negative perception or diminished standing compared to a prior or expected level. It implies a decline in public trust, respect, or favor.

How can I use "lesser reputation" in a sentence?

You can use "lesser reputation" to describe the consequences of an action. For example: "The company suffered a lesser reputation after the scandal, affecting its customer base."

What's the difference between "lower reputation" and "lesser reputation"?

While both phrases are very similar, "lower reputation" is a more direct way to express that something or someone does not have a good reputation. "Lesser reputation" implies that something once held a higher standing, but has since declined.