of lesser interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"of lesser interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is not as interesting as something else. For example, "The movie had some interesting elements, but the plot was of lesser interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's bumping people of lesser interest off the phone when call waiting intrudes.

The New York Times - Style

Of lesser interest, sweet-crusted vegetable tart of zucchini and eggplant seemed tame in this company.

The New York Times

Of lesser interest but still pleasing on a hot evening, the ceviche and avocado cocktail included a few pieces of seafood with a citrus and avocado mash.

The New York Times - Travel

In the past year or so, the U.S. government has engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts to find acceptable homes for detainees of lesser interest.

The New Yorker

Of lesser interest, routine lobster ravioli in butter sauce could have used the punch of more sage, and the shrimps in white and black pasta with seafood tasted musty.

The New York Times

In theology, science, and literary scholarship, Persian works were mostly popularized versions of more sophisticated works in Arabic, but this does not always mean that the former are of lesser interest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There are many examples of experiments that violate an animal's crucial interests in the hopes of satisfying the lesser interests of some other morally considerable being, all of which would be objectionable from this perspective.

SEP

Such a comparison could have been interesting if the markers we quantified had demonstrated their potential usefulness in routine but has a lesser interest in front of the results we observed.

BMC Cancer

S. speciosa should not be confused with the genus Gloxinia, which contains about 15 species of plants that also belong to the family Gesneriaceae but are of lesser horticultural interest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Zabar said the bakery building, which was built in the late 1880's or 1890's, was of lesser historical interest than the Vinegar Factory, which was the home of the Baker's Brand factory, where vinegar and mustard were made from 1928 until 1993.

The New York Times

A landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views.The author of this radical, class-conscious vision of society was James Madison, America's fourth* president and co-author of its constitution.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of lesser interest" to politely indicate that a topic is not the primary focus without dismissing it entirely. For example, "While the historical context is relevant, it is of lesser interest to the current study."

Common error

Avoid using "of lesser interest" too frequently in formal writing, as it can sound dismissive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "less important" or "secondary" to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of lesser interest" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a lower level of importance or relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of lesser interest" serves as a useful tool for indicating that something is not as important or relevant as something else. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "of lesser interest", consider the audience and context to ensure your tone remains respectful and informative. Alternatives such as "less important" or "secondary importance" can provide variety, but remember the unique connotation of acknowledgment without full dismissal that "of lesser interest" conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less important

This alternative directly states a lower level of importance.

less significant

This highlights a reduced degree of consequence or impact.

not a priority

This suggests something is lower on a list of tasks or concerns.

secondary importance

This denotes a lower rank in terms of importance.

of minor importance

This emphasizes the small degree of importance.

of marginal interest

This implies a very small degree of interest.

subsidiary concern

This indicates something is related but not the main focus.

ancillary to

This positions something as supplemental or supporting.

less compelling

This suggests the subject is less persuasive or attractive.

not particularly engaging

This points out a lack of captivating quality.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "of lesser interest"?

You can use alternatives like "less important", "less significant", or "not a priority" depending on the context.

How do I use "of lesser interest" in a sentence?

Use "of lesser interest" to indicate that something is not the main focus or is less important than something else. For example, "The background information is of lesser interest compared to the main findings."

What's the difference between "of lesser interest" and "uninteresting"?

"Of lesser interest" suggests something has some relevance but is not the primary focus, while "uninteresting" implies a complete lack of interest or relevance. "Of lesser interest" is a more polite way to phrase it, and implies that is still somewhat relevant or worth considering.

When is it appropriate to use "of lesser interest"?

It's appropriate to use "of lesser interest" when you want to acknowledge something's existence or relevance without making it the main focus of your discussion. This phrase works well in academic, professional, and neutral contexts.