lesser effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"lesser effect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the degree to which something has an effect. For example, "The new policy had a lesser effect on student performance than we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

G-1 produced a slightly lesser effect.

Hormones and Behavior

These acids have a lesser effect on climate.

Britannica

Thinning alone had a similar, but lesser effect.

Forest Ecology and Management

Further treatment had much lesser effect on these parameters.

Catalysis Today

Sidestepper, also on the bill, trimmed back its electronics also, but to lesser effect.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet no President in modern memory has given fewer speeches to lesser effect.

The New Yorker

It therefore made sense to encourage five on the basis that this would have a positive, albeit lesser effect".

The Guardian

Valgus malalignment had a lesser effect: 30° valgus displaced it laterally by 1.5 cm.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Aspect had a lesser effect on collembolan community composition than grazing.

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

A lesser effect is observed for polymer-only and surfactant-only coated samples.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

We hypothesize that tapentadol 100 mg has a lesser effect on the control of breathing than oxycodone 20 mg.

British Journal of Anaesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the effects of multiple factors, use "lesser effect" to clearly indicate which factor has a reduced impact, enhancing the clarity of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser effect" when "no effect" or "negligible effect" is more accurate. "Lesser effect" implies some impact, while the other phrases indicate a lack of any significant influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser effect" functions as a comparative adjective modifying the noun "effect". It indicates that something has a reduced or diminished impact compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lesser effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a reduced impact or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, serving to compare the magnitude of different effects. While alternatives like "weaker impact" or "smaller influence" exist, "lesser effect" provides a clear and direct way to communicate a diminished outcome. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the scale of the impact and avoid confusing it with terms that imply no impact at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaker impact

This alternative emphasizes the reduced force or strength of the effect.

smaller influence

This phrase highlights the diminished degree of sway or control.

reduced consequence

This option stresses the lessened significance or outcome of the effect.

minimal impact

This suggests the effect is barely noticeable or almost non-existent.

slight effect

This indicates a mild or insignificant impact.

minor influence

This conveys that the effect has a small degree of importance or power.

limited consequence

This emphasizes that the effect has restricted or bounded results.

diminished effect

This phrase stresses the reduced quantity or importance of the effect.

attenuated effect

This suggests that the effect has been weakened or reduced in intensity.

mitigated effect

This option highlights that the effect has been softened or made less severe.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser effect" to compare the impact of two or more things, indicating one has a smaller influence. For example, "The new policy had a "lesser effect" than anticipated".

What are some alternatives to "lesser effect"?

Alternatives include "weaker impact", "smaller influence", or "minimal impact" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "least effect" instead of "lesser effect"?

While "least effect" might seem grammatically similar, "lesser effect" is generally used when comparing two effects. "Least effect" is better suited when discussing three or more options. For example, 'Of these three options, this one has the "least effect"'.

What's the difference between "lesser effect" and "secondary effect"?

"Lesser effect" refers to the magnitude of the impact, indicating it is smaller than another. "Secondary effect" describes the timing or order of the impact, suggesting it is a consequence of a primary action. So while a secondary effect could also be a "lesser effect", they describe different attributes of the impact.