lesser danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more dangers, indicating that one is not as severe as the other. Example: "While both options pose risks, choosing the second one presents a lesser danger to our overall safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The result would have been that the worst offenders would have gone underground, posing a greater, not lesser, danger to children.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Pew Research Center survey, released shortly before the multilateral talks began in Beijing at the end of August, found that South Koreans regard North Korea as a lesser danger to the region than do Australians, Americans, Germans, the British, and Canadians.

The New Yorker

The individual acted with lightning-quickness in accord with accurate judgment of his situation" and exhibited an absence of "paralyzing fright of the sort that can happen in instances of lesser danger"; instead, he felt "calm seriousness, profound acceptance, and a dominant mental quickness and a sense of surety".

The New Yorker

At its top is Pakistan, a country that "is likely to stand out in the years ahead as the single most dangerous place in today's world" because of a volatile mix of nuclear weapons, political instability, terrorist networks and Islamic radicalism, but Washington focused instead on the lesser danger that emanated from Baghdad.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If more people in each United States community would demand safe routes for bicycles, perhaps both cars and terrorism would gradually become lesser dangers.

The New York Times

So it takes place not long before Sept. 11, 2001, in a world where characters are still free to worry about lesser dangers.

The New York Times - Books

There will be a radiation detector at the gate of the access ramp because of hospital waste, but radiation is one of the lesser dangers.

Huffington Post

It matters little that terrorism as a phenomenon is one of the lesser dangers Americans face in their daily lives and that, for some of the larger ones, ranging from food-borne illnesses to cars, guns, and what's now called "extreme weather," no one would think about building vast bureaucratic structures shrouded in secrecy, funded to the hilt, and offering Americans promises of ultimate safety.

Huffington Post

Some studies do suggest that witness exposure without danger to life constitutes a lesser risk for enduring posttraumatic stress symptoms [ 21, 44].

BMC Psychiatry

Seven Republican senators are, to a greater or lesser extent, in danger of being ousted, and one Democratic senator is in trouble.

The New York Times

Compared to the study sample the drop-outs were younger and had been exposed to danger to a lesser degree.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lesser danger" when comparing two or more potential hazards to clearly indicate which poses the smaller threat. For instance, "Choosing this route presents a "lesser danger" than navigating the icy roads."

Common error

Avoid using "lesser danger" when there isn't a clear comparison to another, greater danger. Instead of saying "There is lesser danger now", specify what it is less dangerous than or choose another phrase, such as "There is reduced danger now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser danger" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lesser" modifies the noun "danger". It indicates a comparative state, suggesting that one potential hazard is less significant or severe than another. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lesser danger" is used to denote a reduced level of threat compared to something else, and Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to compare and contrast different levels of potential hazards. When writing, it's advisable to use the phrase when comparing risks and avoid using it in non-comparative contexts. Alternative phrases like "reduced threat" or "lower risk" can be employed depending on the specific nuance required. It’s important to ensure clarity by explicitly stating what the "lesser danger" is being compared to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced threat

Focuses on the reduction of the threatening aspect.

lower risk

Emphasizes the reduced probability of a negative outcome.

minor threat

Highlights the insignificance of the threat.

slight risk

Indicates a minimal level of risk.

minimal hazard

Focuses on the reduced level of potential harm.

smaller danger

Emphasizes the reduced size or scope of the danger.

diminished risk

Highlights the process of risk reduction.

reduced exposure

Focuses on the lessening of exposure to a harmful element.

mitigated threat

Emphasizes the action taken to lessen the severity of the threat.

controlled hazard

Highlights the state of the hazard being under control.

FAQs

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

The phrase "lesser danger" is used to compare two or more dangers, indicating that one is less severe than the others. For example: "While both options carry risks, choosing this plan poses a "lesser danger" to our team."

What's a good alternative to "lesser danger"?

Alternatives to "lesser danger" include "reduced threat", "lower risk", or "minor threat", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "less danger" instead of "lesser danger"?

While "less danger" can sometimes be used, "lesser danger" specifically implies a comparison between multiple dangers. Using "less danger" might be appropriate when referring to a general reduction in overall danger.

What's the difference between "lesser danger" and "minor risk"?

"Lesser danger" directly refers to a situation posing a reduced threat level in comparison to another, whereas "minor risk" indicates a situation where the probability of something negative occurring is low, but does not necessarily imply direct comparison to something else.