lesser than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser than usual" is not standard in written English; the correct form is "less than usual." You can use it to describe a situation or quantity that is below the normal or expected level.
Example: "The attendance at the event was less than usual due to the bad weather."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

My mother brings me food in my room and gives me lesser than my usual intake of food so that I don't fall ill.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The GP supervisor has a lesser patient load than usual (often two patients an hour) to allow time to join the end of the junior learner's consultation.

BMC Medical Education

A patient affected by OSA could, in fact, have in the single night of the polysomnography a lesser number of apnea episodes than usual (e.g., because of a pure coincidence or for an alteration of the sleep in a bed he is not used to).

BioMed Research International

With more doubt now about the bank's intentions, one thing is clear: well-heeled City types will be taking a keener-than-usual interest in the pay deals of lesser mortals in the months ahead.

The Economist

A longer-than-usual post today.

The Economist

Start salivating a saltier-than-usual spit.

WikiHow

A higher than usual incidence of disease is seen in Northern Europe (Scandinavia in particular), with lesser frequency in Southern Europe, making genetic predisposition in certain populations likely [1].

Insights into Imaging

Probably lower than usual.

The New Yorker

He slept more than usual.

The New York Times

Both were better than usual.

The New York Times

More than usual.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "lesser than usual" is understandable, prefer the grammatically correct "less than usual" in formal writing. This maintains clarity and adheres to standard English conventions.

Common error

Be mindful of using "less" vs. "fewer". "Less" is for uncountable nouns, while "fewer" is for countable nouns. For example, say "less water than usual", but "fewer apples than usual".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser than usual" functions as a comparative, indicating a state or quantity that is diminished relative to a norm. Despite its usage, Ludwig AI highlights that it is not grammatically standard; "less than usual" is the correct alternative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "lesser than usual" appears in various sources, it's crucial to recognize that standard English dictates the use of "less than usual" for grammatical correctness. The phrase serves to indicate a reduction or deviation from what's typical, and although it's understandable, formal contexts benefit from the corrected form. As Ludwig AI points out, adhering to proper grammar ensures clarity and credibility in writing. While it has some use in News and Media and Science, it's still relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than normal

Emphasizes a deviation from a standard or typical level, replacing 'usual' with its direct synonym 'normal'.

lower than usual

Focuses on a decrease in quantity or degree compared to what is typical; replaces 'lesser' with 'lower'.

smaller than usual

Specifically indicates a reduction in size or quantity from the standard; replaces 'lesser' with 'smaller'.

reduced compared to usual

Uses 'reduced' to highlight the act of decreasing from the normal amount, changing the structure slightly.

below average

Indicates a quantity or quality that is not as high as the typical or expected level; replaces the entire phrase with a common expression.

not as much as usual

Uses a more descriptive approach to express a quantity that is lower than the typical amount.

decreased from normal

Highlights the decrease or reduction from what is considered normal or standard.

at a diminished level

Uses more formal language to indicate a state of reduction or lessening from a standard.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating something is below the expected or required standard.

less frequent than usual

Specifically addresses a reduction in frequency compared to the typical rate or occurrence.

FAQs

Is "lesser than usual" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "lesser than usual" isn't standard English. The correct phrasing is "less than usual". Ludwig AI indicates this distinction.

What does "lesser than usual" mean?

It indicates that something is smaller in quantity, degree, or extent compared to what is normally expected or common. Using "less than usual" accurately conveys this meaning.

How can I use "less than usual" in a sentence?

Example: "The crowd was less than usual due to the rain." This shows a reduction in the expected crowd size.

What are some alternative ways to say "lesser than usual"?

You could use phrases like "lower than usual", "smaller than usual", or "reduced compared to usual" to express a similar idea while maintaining correct grammar.