lesser choices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser choices" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to options that are of lower quality or value compared to others. Example: "In this situation, we are left with only lesser choices that do not meet our original standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You and your fellow ministers talk about parents' choice being important, but every child who fails the 11-plus faces lesser choices.

The Guardian

Lesser choices include gobdol samgyupsal gui ($17.95), thin slices of pork resembling bacon without the saltiness or smokiness, and saenggalbi sogum gui ($18.95), or kalbi marinated in salt, which lacked aggressive flavor.

The New York Times - Food

Your posts about your child's exceptional intelligence, incredible motor development, or advanced bowel control, not to mention your chosen "method" of parenting (and you'd never judge anyone else for lesser choices, but the implication of your superiority is clear) -- I can't take it anymore.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Natchitoches, like the US, has long been divided along racial lines, with black residents confined to a lesser choice of jobs, homes, and schools.

The Guardian

A key argument against such openness seems to be that it might result in a lesser choice of people running for office, as though that ship hadn't sailed some ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Do they keep coding in what is quickly becoming the language of lesser choice, or do they start again?

TechCrunch

We have the choice but we know it is a lesser choice -- to throw the baby out with the bath water.

Huffington Post

As of patch 2.3 Devastate stacks a new sunder up to the max of 5 - making sunder a lesser choice for the same amount of rage (due to the fact that you get weapon damage too from devastate - which can also crit).

WikiHow

Otherwise they would have been burdened with work or making lesser college choices".

The New York Times - Magazine

Members of the parliamentary party were outraged at the appointment, and to a lesser extent the choice of leftwing Guardian columnist Seumas Milne as the new director of communications.

The Guardian

There are also lesser-known possible choices, like Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the young designers behind Proenza Schouler, whom Mr. Ford has made a point of getting to know; Stefano Pilati, who is Mr. Ford's chief associate designer at Saint Laurent and John Rayy, who executes the men's wear collection at Gucci.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lesser choices" when you want to convey that the available options are not ideal or are in some way deficient. Be sure to provide context that clarifies why the choices are considered lesser.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser choices" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or overly negative. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "inferior options" or "subpar selections".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser choices" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "lesser" modifies the noun "choices". It describes the quality or desirability of the available options. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lesser choices" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe options that are not ideal or desirable. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, especially in news and media, to convey dissatisfaction or a lack of enthusiasm about available options. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates why the choices are considered substandard, and avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Consider alternatives like "inferior options" or "subpar selections" to diversify your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inferior options

Emphasizes the lower quality of the options.

subpar selections

Highlights the below-average quality of the choices.

poorer alternatives

Focuses on the diminished value of the alternatives.

second-rate picks

Indicates the choices are not of the highest standard.

unfavorable alternatives

Stresses the undesirable nature of the options.

limited options

Focuses on the restriction and possibly lower quality of the options.

reduced possibilities

Highlights that fewer possibilities are available and they might be worse.

weak choices

Emphasizes the low strength or desirability of the choices.

secondary options

Indicates the options are not the primary or best ones.

lesser evils

Highlights the need to pick among bad options and minimize the damage.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser choices" to describe situations where available options are not ideal. For example, "Due to budget cuts, we were left with only "lesser choices" for project materials".

What are some alternatives to "lesser choices"?

Alternatives include "inferior options", "subpar selections", or "poorer alternatives". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lesser choices"?

Yes, "lesser choices" is grammatically correct. "Lesser" is an adjective modifying the noun "choices".

What is the difference between "lesser choices" and "limited choices"?

"Lesser choices" implies the available options are of lower quality or desirability. "Limited choices" simply means there are not many options available, without necessarily commenting on their quality. For example, you may have "limited choices" because there are not many options in the first place but each one can be good. With "lesser choices" you have options, but you are not happy with none of them.