lesser question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is considered to be of lesser importance or significance compared to another question. Example: "While the main issue is complex, I believe the lesser question of timing can be addressed more easily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Which of our two candidates will win on Monday is the lesser question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are also the lesser questions of who will be liable if a GMO does cause harm, and how much labelling and segregation of GMOs from unmodified organisms is required.

The Economist

In the process, a few lesser questions were raised.

Huffington Post

Any potential "commander in chief" who asks lesser questions than these is engaging in a childish game with real guns.

Huffington Post

Soon-Shiong all of his life has been taking on seemingly impossible tasks, finding bigger answers for lesser questions, thinking far outside of the box.

Huffington Post

But from all I have read and viewed in recent days, the original focus on whether Ms. Nyad somehow hitched a ride on a boat has shifted to the lesser, more technical questions of whether wearing a protective suit and being touched by her assistants in the water should cause the swim to be called "assisted" in the record books.

The New York Times

The question: is the lesser offender (Lesser) or the greater offender (Greater) the greater offender?

Huffington Post

Published on Tuesday's front page, the morning after Palin announced her daughter's pregnancy, the article said that revelation and a series of lesser disclosures called into question how thoroughly McCain had examined Palin's background.

The New York Times

For those facing the question with lesser means, the answer depends on how long you plan to stay single.

Forbes

In weighting architecture's aspects as essential, core, or some lesser status, a related question is whether one or another aspect is primary or necessary to any of the others.

SEP

Then there are any number of lesser buttons like the QUESTION MARK or the oft used EXCLAMATION POINT.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lesser question" to indicate that an issue or inquiry is of secondary importance compared to a more significant matter. This helps to prioritize discussions and focus attention on the most critical points.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser question" when you mean a question that is simply easier to answer. "Lesser" refers to importance, not difficulty. If the question is easy but significant, do not use "lesser question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lesser" modifies the noun "question". It describes a question that is of secondary importance or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser question" is used to describe a question that is of secondary importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase. While "lesser question" is relatively rare, its usage is straightforward: it helps to prioritize discussions by indicating which issues are less critical. When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately conveying that the question is less important, not simply easier to answer. Alternatives include "minor issue" or "secondary concern". It appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsidiary question

Implies that the question is dependent on or subordinate to a larger, more important question.

minor issue

Focuses on the issue's reduced size or impact rather than framing it as a question.

secondary concern

Emphasizes the lower priority of the concern relative to other issues.

smaller matter

Simple alternative, focusing on the reduced scale of the issue.

trivial inquiry

Highlights the insignificance of the question being posed.

unimportant consideration

Highlights the minimal weight or relevance of the consideration.

peripheral matter

Suggests that the matter is not central to the main discussion or focus.

ancillary problem

Positions the problem as supportive or supplementary to a larger issue.

inconsequential query

Underscores the lack of consequence or importance of the query.

tangential question

Implies that the question is only loosely related to the main topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser question" to refer to an issue that is less important than another. For example: "While the primary concern is funding, the "logistical details" are a lesser question at this stage".

What's a good alternative to "lesser question"?

Alternatives to "lesser question" include "minor issue", "secondary concern", or "subsidiary question". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "lesser question" formal or informal?

"Lesser question" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the overall tone and vocabulary of your writing or speech than on the setting.

What's the difference between "lesser question" and "related question"?

A "lesser question" is one that is less important. A "related question", on the other hand, is simply a question that is connected to the main issue, without necessarily being less significant.