lesser number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser number" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English.
It is typically used to compare two quantities or numbers, with "lesser" indicating a smaller amount or quantity. Here are some examples of how to use "lesser number" in a sentence: 1. The company hired a new team of employees, but a lesser number of them are qualified for the job. 2. In the last election, there was a significant increase in voter turnout, but a lesser number of people actually cast their ballots. 3. The study found that a lesser number of people were able to afford healthcare under the new policy. 4. The survey revealed that a lesser number of respondents were satisfied with their current job compared to the previous year. 5. The researchers observed that a lesser number of participants completed the full course of treatment, resulting in lower success rates.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lesser number of protists employ pseudopodia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may conduct meetings.

Cornell University

Again, the lesser number, eight years, is the one that Khadr will receive.

The New Yorker

With increasing the negative voltage, the surface became smoother with a lesser number of particles.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Preliminary hemocompatibility evaluation indicated that CUPE adhered and activated lesser number of platelets compared to PLLA.

Biomaterials

Once, we reduce the aperture to half, lesser number of rays pass through the entire ray system.

Stanford University

But the map also includes a lesser number of spots that are fifteen hundred feet from a road.

The New Yorker

Surface roughness was found to have increased to a relatively smaller extent with lesser number of valleys or peaks.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The slight poor performance of distributed data is due to large variations and lesser number of observed values.

Journal of Hydrology

Sick leave balances will not be reduced for employees who change their normal work week from a greater to a lesser number of hours after reaching age 65.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Alan Gibbons, who runs the influential pro-library blog Campaign for the Book, has no doubt that local protesters are responsible for the lesser number of closures.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and style variety, consider using synonyms like "fewer", "smaller", or "reduced" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser number" when referring to non-countable items. For non-countable items, use "less" or "smaller amount of". For example, instead of "a lesser number of water", use "less water" or "a smaller amount of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser number" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a smaller quantity or amount. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it compares numerical values, emphasizing a reduced quantity compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lesser number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a smaller quantity or amount compared to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, although synonyms like "fewer", "smaller quantity", or "reduced amount" may offer greater precision in certain situations. Its usage is prevalent in scientific, news, and academic domains, making it a versatile term in both formal and informal writing. Remember to avoid using "lesser number" with uncountable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced amount

Highlights the action of reducing the quantity.

smaller quantity

Focuses on the amount being reduced rather than just the numerical aspect.

lower quantity

Similar to "smaller quantity" but may imply a measured amount.

decreased count

Highlights the reduction in the number of items or units.

fewer instances

Emphasizes the reduced occurrences of something.

diminished quantity

Emphasizes a reduction that might be more significant.

smaller volume

Suitable when referring to a physical quantity or capacity.

reduced frequency

Focuses on how often something occurs, rather than the number.

scarcer amount

Emphasizes the limited availability of something.

minimal quantity

Suggests the smallest possible quantity is present.

FAQs

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

Use "lesser number" to compare two quantities, indicating one is smaller than the other. For example, "A "lesser number" of participants completed the survey this year."

What are some alternatives to "lesser number"?

You can use "smaller quantity", "reduced amount", or "fewer instances", depending on the context and what you are trying to express.

When should I use "fewer" instead of "lesser number"?

"Fewer" is generally used for countable nouns, while "less" is used for uncountable nouns. Thus, you might say "fewer cars" but "less traffic". "Lesser number" is often used for emphasis or when the numerical aspect is particularly relevant.

Is it ever incorrect to use "lesser number"?

While generally accepted, using a more specific term like "fewer" or "smaller quantity" can sometimes improve clarity and precision. Always consider the context and your audience.