lesser and lesser

USAGE SUMMARY

"lesser and lesser" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the gradual decrease in something over time. For example, "As the days went on, I saw less and less of him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I sometimes worry I may be the abnormal one, as many of my friends are glad it's lesser and lesser.

The Guardian - Opinion

The top rungs will get their many millions each, with lesser and lesser amounts going down the GS hierarchy.

The Guardian - Opinion

On my nightly walks with Ceilidh, the border terrier, I had been watching the moon rise later and later, lesser and lesser.

The New York Times

Hopefully everyone else will fall in line with what we want to achieve and we'll start to see lesser and lesser cases of doping in sport".

Independent

As animals play lesser and lesser roles in the society compared to the past, new value systems will be adopted.

Pastoralism

And since a startup like Salorix is valued far cheaper than its counterparts in the Valley, raising subsequent rounds of funding with lesser and lesser equity becomes very tough.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There are 7 billion people in the world today and a majority of them were born in a simpler time, with lesser marketing, lesser paranoia and therefore fewer gadgets and gizmos.

Huffington Post

We are already planning "lesser vegetables, "lesser meats", and "lesser grains" at Cress Restaurant.

Huffington Post

This is the lesser evil, lesser than subjecting Syria and Yemen to another year of horrific tragedies.

Huffington Post

But it also meant reviling the band's lesser songs and lesser albums and even, sometimes, its lesser members.

The New York Times - Arts

"Someone of lesser heart and lesser faith might have grown weary, might have given up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lesser and lesser", ensure the context clearly indicates a gradual reduction or decline. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a continuous trend.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser and lesser" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, more sophisticated vocabulary might enhance the impact and precision of your message. Consider alternatives like "gradually diminishing" or "steadily declining."

Linguistic Context

Lesser and lesser functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate a gradual decrease in quantity, quality, or significance. It is used to emphasize a progressive decline, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples of diminishing moon rises and decreasing roles in society.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lesser and lesser" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a gradual decline, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans from neutral to formal contexts, appearing in both news and scientific publications. While effective in emphasizing continuous reduction, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal settings. Remember that, while similar to "less and less", it often implies a decrease in importance or quality. When writing, ensure the context clearly supports the intended emphasis on continuous decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually declining

Focuses on the trend of decline, simplifying the original phrase.

slowly diminishing

Highlights the slow pace at which something is decreasing.

diminishing steadily

Highlights the consistent decline of something over a period of time.

continually decreasing

Emphasizes the constant decline of something.

decreasing gradually

Focuses on the gradual reduction of something, simplifying the original phrase.

reducing incrementally

Emphasizes the step-by-step reduction of something.

progressively shrinking

Highlights the continuous decrease in size or amount.

steadily waning

Emphasizes the fading or weakening of something over time.

fading away gradually

Emphasizes the slow and subtle disappearance of something.

becoming scarce

Focuses on the increasing rarity of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser and lesser" to describe a gradual decline or reduction. For example, "As technology advanced, the need for manual labor became "lesser and lesser"."

What's a more formal alternative to "lesser and lesser"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "gradually diminishing", "steadily declining", or "reducing incrementally" instead of "lesser and lesser".

Is "lesser and lesser" redundant?

While "lesser and lesser" might seem redundant, the repetition emphasizes the continuous and progressive nature of the decline. However, consider if a single, more descriptive word might be more impactful.

Which is correct, "lesser and lesser" or "less and less"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Less and less" is more general, while "lesser and lesser" often implies a decrease in importance, quality, or degree.