lesser depth

USAGE SUMMARY

"lesser depth" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to compare the magnitude or extent of something. For example, "It was obvious that his understanding of the situation was much lesser in depth than hers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The eye can momentarily alight here or there, only to be quickly drawn away, to a different place on the same plane, or toward an implied zone of great or lesser depth.

The New York Times - Arts

Compared with furrow irrigation, a lesser depth of irrigation significantly decreased marketable yield (MY) and total yield (TY) under pit irrigation conditions.

Scientia Horticulturae

BioPortal provides resources similar to UMLS, with greater terminology breadth but lesser depth [ 13].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Although many Sorghum gene models were sampled at read depths greater than 10, a substantial number show lesser depth.

BMC Genomics

It should be noted, however, that because the competent and postlarval samples were sequenced at lesser depth than the other stages, genes expressed at low abundance in these samples may not be detected above the cutoff threshold.

BMC Genomics

A lower expression level results in a higher probability that these transcripts were missed during the random sequencing of the Ips cDNA, which had a lesser depth than for D. ponderosae.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Forays to lesser depths have multiplied over the years.

The New York Times - Science

At lesser depths, sandhogs had been known to uncover jewelry, murder weapons, false teeth, a chest of coins, a Colonial dungeon.

The New Yorker

The oil industry has developed technologies to hold in the 125-megapascal (18,000-pound-per-square-inch) pressures encountered at even such lesser depths.

Science Magazine

To quantify the heat flux from heated subsurface structures that have lesser depths to the groundwater table the 1D heat conduction module SoilTemp is developed.

Journal of Hydrology

This happens because as the angle is changing, the ion beam is penetrating in lesser depths and hence the sputtering would be more from the surface of Ge.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two scenarios, use "lesser depth" to clearly indicate which has a smaller measurement or degree of penetration. For example, "The well reached a greater depth than the other one, which only achieved a "lesser depth".

Common error

Avoid using "lesser depth" when you actually mean a complete absence of depth or understanding. "Lesser depth" implies there's still some degree of depth, just not as much as another instance. To indicate complete absence, use phrases like "lack of depth" or "superficiality".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser depth" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced or smaller extent in terms of depth. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. The phrase is typically used to compare two or more instances, highlighting the comparative difference in their depth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lesser depth" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions primarily as a descriptor, indicating a reduced extent in terms of depth. Its communicative purpose is to quantify and compare, providing a relative assessment. While understandable in various contexts, it is most frequently encountered in scientific, news, and formal business settings. Alternative phrases such as "shallower depth" or "reduced depth" can be used depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shallower depth

Focuses specifically on the physical dimension of depth being reduced.

reduced depth

Highlights the act of making the depth smaller or less.

decreased depth

Emphasizes a measurable decrease in depth.

smaller extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope of something, rather than just physical depth.

lower intensity

Refers to a reduction in the strength or force of something.

minimal depth

Emphasizes that the depth is as small as possible.

superficial level

Indicates a lack of thoroughness or penetration.

limited scope

Indicates a restriction in the range or area covered.

narrower range

Emphasizes a reduction in the variety or extent of something.

surface-level

Highlights that something is only scratching the surface and not going deep.

FAQs

How is "lesser depth" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific contexts, "lesser depth" often refers to the extent of penetration or coverage in experiments or analyses. For example, it might describe the "lesser penetration depth" of a laser beam or the depth of a soil sample.

What does "lesser depth" mean in the context of data analysis?

When discussing data, "lesser depth" can refer to a "lower level of detail" or a smaller amount of information available for a particular aspect. This implies that while some data exists, it is not as thorough or extensive as desired.

Can I use "smaller depth" instead of "lesser depth"?

While "smaller depth" is grammatically correct, "lesser depth" is often preferred in formal writing because it maintains a more sophisticated tone. In casual conversation, both are generally acceptable, but "lesser depth" is more precise when comparing relative magnitudes.

Is "lesser depth" appropriate for describing emotional understanding?

Yes, "lesser depth" can describe emotional understanding, indicating a "lower level of understanding" or insight compared to someone else. It suggests that while some comprehension is present, it is not as profound or comprehensive.