lesser problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to issues or difficulties that are of lower significance or importance compared to others. Example: "While we have major challenges to address, we should not overlook the lesser problems that still need our attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Even lesser problems can have long-term effects.

Harvard Business Review

The rehabilitation of the boat was extensive, but engine troubles, leaks and lesser problems remained.

The New York Times

Other companies have been burned, and politicians have been ruined, by lesser problems.

The New Yorker

Our emotional defenses snap into action when it comes to a divorce or a disease but not for lesser problems.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although emergencies arise every week, most of the time police and rangers handle lesser problems: illicit camping, graffiti, unlicensed film projects and car commercials.

The New Yorker

It also survived lesser problems, including the discovery that some data had been falsified by two interviewers employed in a 1968 poll of Harlem blacks that had been commissioned by The New York Times.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A lesser problem is the novel's humorlessness.

The New York Times - Books

Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement was seen as a lesser problem.

The Washington Post

"But I also think we all have a responsibility to not view what is not our immediate problem as a lesser problem.

The Guardian

To tell the truth, I probably saw the end of the world as the lesser problem because it was completely unimaginable to me.

Princeton University

It's easy to focus on Greece's huge pile of debt, but, according to Yannis Ioannides, an economist at Tufts University, "debt is ultimately the lesser problem.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lesser problems", ensure the context clearly establishes a comparison with more significant issues to emphasize the relative unimportance.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser problems" to describe issues that, while smaller in scale, still demand significant attention or resources. This can diminish the perceived importance of the issue and lead to neglect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser problems" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lesser" modifies the noun "problems". It describes issues or difficulties that are considered to be of lower importance or significance compared to others. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser problems" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote issues of relatively low significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively categorizes difficulties based on their importance, assisting in prioritization. While alternatives like "minor issues" or "smaller concerns" exist, the phrase's neutrality and broad applicability make it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide a clear comparison to more significant issues to maintain clarity and avoid diminishing genuine concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor issues

Focuses on the reduced scale of the issues.

smaller concerns

Highlights the reduced level of worry or importance.

trivial matters

Emphasizes the insignificance of the issues.

secondary difficulties

Indicates the issues are not the main priority.

insignificant troubles

Highlights the unimportance of the troubles.

petty grievances

Focuses on the small and often personal nature of the complaints.

minor setbacks

Highlights the limited impact on progress.

slight complications

Emphasizes the minimal difficulty caused.

modest challenges

Indicates the challenges are not particularly demanding.

unimportant difficulties

Directly states the lack of importance of the difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser problems" to describe issues that are not as significant as others. For example: "While we focus on major crises, we shouldn't ignore the "lesser problems" that affect daily life."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "lesser problems"?

Alternatives include "minor issues", "smaller concerns", or "trivial matters", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lesser problems"?

Yes, "lesser problems" is grammatically correct. "Lesser" is an adjective modifying the noun "problems".

What's the difference between "lesser problems" and "minor problems"?

"Lesser problems" and "minor problems" are very similar. "Lesser" implies a smaller degree of significance, while "minor" suggests a smaller scale or impact. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.