lesser years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesser years" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used to refer to younger years or a period of lesser experience or maturity, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "In my lesser years, I often made impulsive decisions without considering the consequences."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a representative from this era, contributes a bit of talking-head commentary, mostly to downplay these lesser years.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's a lesser year," said Michael Barker, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics.

The New York Times

In a lesser year, I imagine Adèle Haenel (the Dardenne brothers' "The Unknown Girl"), Elle Fanning ("The Neon Demon") and Sasha Lane ("American Honey") would have been stronger candidates.

Los Angeles Times

A lesser 8-year-old would have stormed off; actually, a lesser 8-year-old would have lost interest in the game after the first round.

The New York Times - Travel

Meanwhile, the former IAAF anti-doping chief Gabriel Dollé was given a lesser five-year suspension from the sport because of "an inexcusable lack of due care and diligence rather than of corruption".

Independent

Only De Bernardinis had his conviction confirmed, albeit with a lesser 2-year sentence, which will remain suspended.

Science Magazine

It suggests positive effects of university degrees and to a lesser extent, year 12 completion and combined PISA test score on the six labour market outcomes examined.

Journal for Labour Market Research

This aggressive head and neck malignancy is associated with severe morbidity and lesser five-year survival rate, 32% (radiotherapy), 48% (surgery), and 54% (combined surgery and radiotherapy), despite advances in treatment [ 1].

Analytical Cellular Pathology

Most participants (80%) had lesser than 20 years of clinical experience, mean 14.0 ± 5.3 years (Table 1).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

18 A change in age-specific mortality will change life expectancy because a greater or lesser number of years lived affects not only the specific age group but also the years lived in future older age groups.

BMJ Open

Again, the lesser number, eight years, is the one that Khadr will receive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a period of reduced skill or achievement, consider if more specific terms like "early years" or "less experienced years" might provide clearer context.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser years" in highly formal writing, as it can sound awkward. Opt for alternatives such as "earlier period" or "previous years" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser years" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "years". It describes a period that is considered to be of less importance, quality, or achievement. Ludwig AI suggests that it is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lesser years" refers to a period of time characterized by reduced significance, skill, or quality compared to other times. While grammatically acceptable, it's not a particularly common expression and may sound awkward in certain contexts. Ludwig AI highlights this, suggesting it might be beneficial to consider alternative phrasing for improved clarity. Its usage spans across news, science, and formal writing, but it's less frequent in academic or encyclopedic contexts. When aiming for precision and clarity, consider alternatives like ""earlier years"" or "less experienced phase".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier years

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating a period in the past without necessarily implying inferiority.

younger years

Emphasizes youth and inexperience, suggesting a time of less maturity.

less accomplished years

Highlights the level of achievement during a specific period.

less significant period

Indicates a time of reduced importance or impact.

less experienced phase

Focuses on the lack of experience during a certain time.

weaker years

Suggests a period of reduced strength, ability or effectiveness.

subordinate years

Indicates a time of lower rank or importance.

minor years

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance.

developmental years

Highlights the period of growth and learning, which may imply initial inexperience.

preliminary years

Focuses on the initial stage of a longer process, suggesting a foundation being built.

FAQs

What does "lesser years" mean?

"Lesser years" refers to a period considered less important, successful, or skilled compared to other times. The phrase is not very common and can be substituted with alternatives.

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

You might say, "During his "earlier years", he focused on learning the basics before achieving mastery."

What can I say instead of "lesser years"?

You can use alternatives like ""earlier years"", "younger years", or "less experienced phase" depending on the context.

Is "lesser years" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "lesser years" isn't a standard phrase. Alternatives like "previous years" or "early years" might be clearer and more common.