lesser circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser circumstance" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey the intended meaning clearly.
It could be used when discussing situations that are of lower importance or severity compared to others, but it may be better to use more standard expressions. Example: "In a lesser circumstance, we might have considered a different approach, but given the urgency, we must act now."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Whereas if we get a defendant of lesser circumstance, pretty heavy sentences are handed down comparatively".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lesser circumstances caused Reed to become nervous in his last start, during the National League Championship Series.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a tepid spin-off from the original series and isn't a patch on that classic, but Pauline Collins remains a hoot, even in these lesser circumstances.

Huffington Post

Otherwise stay away from such stories, most professors will be understanding of lesser circumstances.

WikiHow

Under Pakistani law, hijacking is a capital offense, though a judge can give a lesser sentence if circumstances warrant it.

The New York Times

Noting the problems of allocating powers correctly, Madison supported placing some authority with member units since they would be best fit to address "local circumstances and lesser interests" otherwise neglected by the center (Federalist 37).

SEP

These findings cannot rule out other possibilities, for example, that FZDRs may directly activate Gi to a lesser extent under certain circumstances, or that Daple and FZDRs may activate different subsets of G proteins.

eLife

The defense had asked the judge for a lesser sentence, citing the extraordinary circumstances of Mr. Ghailani's case, like the years he spent in detention in a so-called black site run by the C.I.A., where his lawyers say he was tortured.

The New York Times

To a lesser degree, these results reflect circumstances found in basic and regular care hospitals where recognition and standardized therapy of IAH and ACS seem to lead a miserable existence.

Annals of Intensive Care

They may be children of lesser gods or victims of circumstances.

WikiHow

Childhood socioeconomic circumstance generally had a lesser association with circulating levels, while little or no association was seen with adverse childhood lifestyle markers.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations that are not critical, use more common and direct alternatives like "minor situation" or "less significant condition" instead of "lesser circumstance" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser circumstance" in everyday writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound unnatural or overly formal. Opt for simpler, more common expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser circumstance" functions as a noun phrase where "lesser" modifies the noun "circumstance". It describes a situation or condition that is not as significant or important. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically acceptable, though not widely used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser circumstance" refers to a situation or condition of reduced significance. While grammatically sound, its usage is infrequent and may sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Ludwig AI suggests that simpler alternatives like "minor situation" or "less significant condition" are often preferred for clarity and naturalness. The phrase appears mostly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. Therefore, when choosing between "lesser circumstance" and its alternatives, consider the context and audience to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor situation

Replaces "lesser circumstance" with simpler terms to denote a situation of reduced importance.

less significant condition

Substitutes "circumstance" with "condition" and uses "less significant" to indicate reduced importance.

trivial instance

Replaces the original phrase with terms emphasizing the unimportance or insignificance of the situation.

smaller predicament

Uses "smaller predicament" to convey a less serious or challenging situation.

reduced complication

Focuses on the reduced complexity or difficulty of the situation compared to others.

modest affair

Substitutes "circumstance" with "affair" to convey a less serious or significant event.

minor development

Replaces the original phrase with terms emphasizing the minor or insignificant nature of the event.

easier situation

Focuses on the reduced difficulty or simplicity of the situation.

slight event

Replaces "circumstance" with "event" and uses "slight" to indicate its reduced importance.

unimportant case

Substitutes the original phrase with terms emphasizing the lack of importance or significance.

FAQs

What does "lesser circumstance" mean?

The phrase "lesser circumstance" refers to a situation or condition that is of lower importance, severity, or significance compared to others. It suggests a situation that is not as serious or impactful.

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

You might use "lesser circumstance" to compare two different situations, indicating that one is not as critical as the other. For example: "In a "minor situation", we might have considered a different approach."

Which is a better phrase to use, "lesser circumstance" or "minor situation"?

"Minor situation" is generally a better choice because it's more common and easily understood. "Lesser circumstance" is grammatically acceptable, but may come across as overly formal or less natural.

What are some alternatives to "lesser circumstance"?

Some alternatives to "lesser circumstance" include "less significant condition", ""minor situation"", "trivial instance", or "smaller predicament". The best choice depends on the specific context.