lesser performing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser performing" is not standard in written English; the correct form is "lower performing." You can use it when comparing the performance levels of different entities, such as employees, products, or systems.
Example: "The lesser performing team will need additional support to meet their targets."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, a screen average of £3,519 is very respectable for a film playing this wide – ie occupying some of the UK's lesser-performing sites – or for a title on its second week of release.

The Guardian - Film

These lesser functionaries performed clerical and technical tasks for government agencies.

Wikipedia

Meyer-Landrut reached the final of Unser Star für Oslo, mainly performing lesser known songs of international artists such as The Bird and the Bee, Kate Nash, Paolo Nutini and Lisa Mitchell.

Wikipedia

It includes some of the era's hillbilly stars — like Gid Tanner and Fiddlin' John Carson — alongside equally hearty lesser-known figures, performing songs like "When the Roses Bloom Again for the Bootlegger" and "The Preacher Got Drunk and Laid Down His Bible".

The New York Times - Arts

IT turns out there is something even more humbling than accepting a lesser job: struggling to perform a lesser job.

The New York Times

According to Mecca's mayor, today there are two to three million of them, with an additional 12 million performing the lesser pilgrimage of umrah, which can be done at any point throughout the year.

The Guardian

Moreover, greater functional capacity, as measured by cardiorespiratory fitness, is related to increased quantity of work performed, and a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness is related to a lesser effort exerted when performing certain work tasks [ 12].

BMC Public Health

The proportion of patients with at least a comorbidity at the time of the registration in the list were particularly high, as expected, among subjects awaiting cardiovascular procedures and, to a lesser extent, among those performing hip replacement and cholecystectomy.

BMC Health Services Research

The lesser omentum was then opened, and devascularization of the lesser curvature was performed via the same method.

Surgical Case Reports

Opera ★ Amore Opera (Friday through Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday) This scrappy but very pleasant ensemble has made a habit of pairing a standard that makes thematic sense with a lesser-known work and performing them in repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

In Arabia and North Africa, popular shows on a lesser scale were performed in the open air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the performance of two entities, use "lower performing" as a more conventional and easily understood alternative to "lesser performing".

Common error

While "lesser performing" and "underperforming" both indicate a deficiency in performance, avoid using them interchangeably in all contexts. "Underperforming" often implies a failure to meet expectations, whereas "lesser performing" simply indicates a lower level of performance compared to something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser performing" functions as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that something is performing at a lower level compared to something else. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Wiki

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Encyclopedias

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lesser performing" is used to describe something that performs at a lower level compared to something else. While acceptable, it is less common and idiomatic than alternatives like "lower performing" or "underperforming", with the latter implying a failure to meet expected standards. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is not standard in written English. For improved clarity, it is generally advisable to use the more standard alternative, "lower performing". Although acceptable in news and scientific context, its use is infrequent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Poorer performing

Replaces "lesser" with "poorer", emphasizing a lower quality of performance.

Lower performing

Uses "lower" instead of "lesser", offering a more standard and direct synonym.

Underperforming

Combines the concepts into a single word, indicating failure to meet expectations.

Subpar performance

Shifts to a noun phrase, focusing on the quality of the performance itself.

Weak performing

Substitutes "lesser" with "weak", highlighting the inadequate strength of the performance.

Badly performing

Focuses on the negative aspect of the performance, indicating a significant deficiency.

Inefficient performing

Emphasizes the lack of efficiency in the performance.

Inadequately performing

Highlights that the performance does not meet the required standard.

Failing to perform well

Expresses the idea as a lack of success in performing.

Operating at a reduced level

Focuses on the operational level, indicating diminished performance.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "lesser performing"?

A more common alternative is "lower performing", which is more widely used and readily understood.

Is "lesser performing" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "lesser performing" is less common than "lower performing". The Ludwig AI suggests it is not standard in written English.

When should I use "lesser performing"?

You can use "lesser performing" when directly comparing the performance of two items or entities, although "lower performing" is generally preferred.

What does "underperforming" mean, and how does it relate to "lesser performing"?

"Underperforming" means not meeting expectations. While related to the idea of "lesser performing", which simply means performing at a lower level, "underperforming" specifically implies a failure to achieve a set standard.