lesser traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing levels of traffic, typically in contexts related to transportation, internet usage, or congestion. Example: "During the early morning hours, there is often lesser traffic on the roads, making it easier to commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A number of tax and fee changes are in the governor's plan, including a proposal to restrict drivers from pleading down speeding tickets while adding an $80 state surcharge to lesser traffic offenses.

The New York Times

Kahilipara (Ka) is situated at the south-eastern part of the city with relatively lesser traffic.

Applied Water Science

Many pleaded down to lesser traffic offenses and merely paid fines.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Fugitives with lesser crimes — traffic violations or minor drug offenses, for example — work out a plea deal with public defenders and prosecutors, then go before a judge.

The New York Times

Compared with other methods existing in the literature, FSTR has the advantages of lower signaling overhead, faster recovery and lesser rerouted traffic.

Computer Networks

That's huge, and not unlike the dominant market share that Facebook and Google enjoy in the U.S. With "BAT" controlling so much of China's traffic, lesser publishers have gone outside of China to acquire and monetize high value users.

TechCrunch

All Web sites that rely on ads struggle to a greater or lesser extent to convert traffic, even high traffic, into meaningful revenue.

The New York Times

Roadless areas and, to a lesser extent, low-traffic areas, represent relatively undisturbed natural habitats and functioning ecosystems.

Environmental Management

And the list went on with lesser annoyances -- long traffic lights, obnoxious cab drivers opening car doors that nearly took him out as he passed, traffic so thick that half of his runs took place up and down sidewalks dodging terrified pedestrians, cops at every other corner waiting for him to run a light.

The New York Times

I have never been convicted, indicted, or pleaded to any felony or a lesser offense other than traffic tickets, as my criminal background check shows.

Vice

Thus it is possible that these vendors represent a lesser amount of sales traffic at the other measurement occasions.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of infrastructure changes, use "lesser traffic" to emphasize the anticipated or realized reduction in congestion. For example: "The new bypass resulted in "lesser traffic" through the town center".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable items like vehicles. Use "fewer" instead. For example, it's more accurate to say "fewer cars" rather than "less cars" in a context describing "lesser traffic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser traffic" functions as a descriptive element, modifying an implied noun (like 'congestion' or 'volume'). As pointed out by Ludwig, it's used to indicate a reduced amount of vehicular movement, often in comparison to a previous state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser traffic" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate way to describe a reduced amount of vehicular movement. While less common than "less traffic", it carries a slightly more formal and emphatic tone, often implying a comparison. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability and correctness, particularly in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using "lesser traffic", remember to compare or contrast and to avoid misusing "less" instead of "fewer" when referring to countable items. Consider alternative phrases like "reduced traffic volume", "decreased traffic flow", and "lower traffic density" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low traffic

Simply states that there is a small amount of traffic.

reduced traffic volume

Specifies the amount of reduction in traffic.

decreased traffic flow

Focuses on the movement aspect of traffic.

lower traffic density

Emphasizes the compactness of traffic.

lighter traffic conditions

Highlights the overall state of traffic.

less congested roads

Indicates a reduction in road blockage.

minimal traffic

Indicates the traffic is almost nonexistent

sparse traffic

Describes the traffic as thinly distributed.

slight traffic

Indicates a small degree of traffic.

thinner traffic

Suggests traffic that is less dense.

FAQs

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

You can use "lesser traffic" to describe a situation where there is a reduced amount of vehicular movement, such as, "The implementation of staggered work hours led to "reduced traffic" during peak times".

What's the difference between "less traffic" and "lesser traffic"?

"Less traffic" is a general statement about a smaller amount of traffic. "Lesser traffic" implies a comparison, suggesting that the traffic is smaller compared to a previous state or another location. They are interchangeable, but the slight nuance resides in the comparison idea of "lesser" which also gives formal and emphatic tone.

What are some alternatives to "lesser traffic"?

Some alternatives include "reduced traffic volume", "decreased traffic flow", or "lower traffic density", depending on the specific aspect of traffic you want to emphasize.

Is it grammatically correct to use "lesser traffic"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. While "less traffic" is more common, "lesser traffic" is also acceptable, particularly when making a comparison or emphasizing a reduction. It is deemed correct according to Ludwig AI.