lesser goal

USAGE SUMMARY

"lesser goal" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing goals of different significance or importance. Example: "Achieving a lesser goal can still provide valuable experience." Alternative expressions include "minor objective" and "secondary aim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Why settle for a lesser goal?

The Guardian

From the day she was bought by the wine magnate Jess Jackson, she was destined to the court of his champion stallion and two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin, with no lesser goal than the creation of a superhorse.

The New York Times

But he also set a slightly lesser goal, saying the meeting would be where the two leaders would "start drawing the contours of the long-awaited peace," a phrase that seemed to indicate that a deal on some general principles might also be enough.

The New York Times

Washington policymakers have three core concerns when they discuss the security council route: first, that Iraq will agree to inspections and then cheat; second, that Russia or France will water down any resolution to the point of meaninglessness; third, that the resolution will not authorise regime change but only some lesser goal such as the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian

Connecticut was one of the first states to alter its standards in response to the federal law, distinguishing between its original goal for children, "mastery," which it is continuing to use internally, and a new lesser goal of proficiency, under which 80percentt of public school students have already met success.

The New York Times

Yet it is the parties' differences on taxes and government health care benefits that have many in the White House, Congress and outside groups skeptical that the 12-member panel, which is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats and House and Senate members, can reach agreement even on the lesser goal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The United States sacrificed the goal of promoting democracy, human rights and law to the lesser goals of its drug policy.

The New York Times

"They might have joined a gym or bought some home-exercise kit, but without identifying these lesser goals, most people typically lose their initial motivation".

Independent

Life is thus the ultimate value for all organisms, not only because all other values are a means to preserving it but also because it sets a standard of evaluation for all lesser goals (and all things generally): that which preserves life is good, and that which threatens or destroys life is evil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Survival is the organism's ultimate value, the "final goal or end to which all [its] lesser goals are the means," and the standard of all its other values: "that which furthers its life is the good, that which threatens it is the evil" (pp. 16 17).

SEP

"We have glimpsed Reality, and this has made us oblivious of lesser goals".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lesser goal", ensure it is clear what the primary or more important goal is for context. This helps the reader understand the relative significance of the lesser goal.

Common error

Avoid focusing excessively on the "lesser goal" to the point where it overshadows the main objective. Maintaining a clear hierarchy of goals is crucial for effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser goal" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lesser" modifies the noun "goal". Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase. It typically identifies an objective of secondary importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser goal" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common expression used to denote an objective of secondary importance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently used in news and media outlets, as well as in scientific publications, to differentiate between primary and secondary objectives. To enhance clarity in writing, it's essential to clearly define the primary goal alongside the "lesser goal". Alternatives such as "minor objective" or "secondary aim" can be used depending on context. Always be sure to focus more on primary goals and prevent confusing the audience by giving more importance to "lesser goals".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor objective

Replaces "goal" with a synonym that suggests reduced importance.

secondary aim

Substitutes both "lesser" and "goal" with terms indicating a supporting objective.

subordinate goal

Uses a more formal term, "subordinate", to convey a lower rank in importance.

lower priority

Focuses on the prioritization aspect rather than the direct aim.

less important objective

Rephrases by directly stating the reduced importance of the objective.

smaller target

Employs "smaller" to indicate a goal of lesser scope or ambition.

ancillary objective

Uses a more technical term, "ancillary", signifying a supporting role.

subsidiary target

Similar to "subordinate goal", but uses the term "target" instead.

easier objective

Highlights the reduced difficulty of the goal.

modest aim

Uses "modest" to indicate a less ambitious or grand goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser goal" to describe an objective that is subordinate or of secondary importance compared to a primary objective. For example, "While winning the championship was the ultimate aim, securing a playoff spot was a "lesser goal"."

What is a good alternative to "lesser goal"?

Alternatives include "minor objective", "secondary aim", or "subordinate goal". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality required.

Is "lesser goal" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lesser goal" is grammatically correct. "Lesser" is an adjective modifying the noun "goal". The phrase is commonly used and easily understood.

What is the difference between a "lesser goal" and a "primary goal"?

A "lesser goal" is an objective of secondary importance, often contributing to or supporting the achievement of a more significant "primary goal". Achieving the "lesser goal" might make achieving the primary goal easier, or it may be a desirable outcome even if the primary goal is not reached.