lesser capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

'lesser capacity' is a correct phrase that is often used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has a smaller amount of a particular capacity or capability than something else. For example, "The miniature battery had a lesser capacity than the original battery, so it needed to be charged more frequently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

An actor of lesser capacity is going to fail.

The Guardian

This finding enables to discriminate the place with greater or lesser capacity to generate seismic energy.

Tectonophysics

And, Jocketty added, Minaya would probably be willing to rejoin the Mets in a lesser capacity if it meant assisting Alderson.

The New York Times - Sports

After sending a heated letter of protest to Admiral Gehman, Mr. O'Keefe removed both Mr. Roe and Ms. Ham from a management role in the investigation, though they continued to work with the board in a lesser capacity.

The New York Times

We conclude that annual phosphate fertilizer applications leave phosphate concentrations in Prairie soils to the extent that soils have a lesser capacity to retain glyphosate and phosphate that are subsequently applied, but glyphosate residues will not influence phosphate sorption.

Geoderma

As the United States is the leading driver of the TTP agreement and in a lesser capacity the TTIP, the TTIP will depend more on whether the two sides can push for a deal before President Obama leaves office in early 2017.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

One of the predominant species, possessing a molecular weight of ~170-kDa, is composed of distinct subspecies that have lesser capacities for gelatin binding than larger N-terminal species of SF FN.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

It blew my self-esteem, because in the deep recesses of my mind, it reminded me over and over and over again that no matter what I did in my own career, the fact that I had married someone with a lesser earning capacity meant that there was something wrong with me.

Huffington Post

It caused me to deny my successes, and even refuse to celebrate them, for fear of appearing "too big for my britches". It blew my self-esteem, because in the deep recesses of my mind, it reminded me over and over and over again that no matter what I did in my own career, the fact that I had married someone with a lesser earning capacity meant that there was something wrong with me.

HuffPost

Individual spontaneous metastases were to some extent heterogeneous in their metastatic potential, a minority of the secondaries having greater or lesser metastatic capacity than the appropriate primary.

British Journal of Cancer

The much smaller Dh decrease of aptamer/AuNP conjugates compared to that of polyA/AuNP conjugates is attributed to the folding of aptamers, but not the lesser surface capacity.

Analytical Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lesser capacity", clearly specify what the capacity refers to. For example, instead of saying "the device has a lesser capacity", specify "the device has a lesser battery capacity".

Common error

Avoid using "lesser capacity" without providing a specific point of comparison. It's important to clarify what the capacity is being compared to in order to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser capacity" functions as a noun phrase, where "lesser" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "capacity". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser capacity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a reduced ability, volume, or potential. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appears across various domains, from scientific research to news media. Usage guidance suggests being specific about the type of capacity being described to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "reduced capability" or "smaller volume" can be used depending on the context. The term is most prevalent in scientific contexts, followed by news and media, indicating its versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced capability

Implies a decrease in overall ability or potential.

lower capability

Indicates a reduced level of overall power or effectiveness.

smaller volume

Refers to a reduction in the amount of space something can hold.

diminished ability

Highlights a decline in the power or skill to do something.

decreased competence

Focuses on the reduction in the quality or level of skill.

limited potential

Suggests a restriction in the capacity for future development or achievement.

inferior ability

Implies a weaker or less effective skill.

restricted volume

Describes a limitation in the amount of space.

subdued potential

Suggests potential is controlled.

weakened competence

Focuses on the decline in the quality or level of skill.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser capacity" to describe a reduced ability or potential. For example, "The replacement engine had a "reduced capability" due to its smaller size."

What's the difference between "lesser capacity" and "smaller capacity"?

"Lesser capacity" and "smaller capacity" are often interchangeable. "Lesser" emphasizes a reduced degree, while "smaller" refers to physical size or quantity. Using "smaller volume" is appropriate when describing space, while the alternative "reduced capability" is better to use for functionality.

Are there formal alternatives to "lesser capacity"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "diminished ability" or "decreased competence", which are suitable in academic or professional contexts.

Is "lesser capacity" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lesser capacity" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal writing, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.