of lesser quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of lesser quality" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not as good in quality as something else. For example, "The store-brand cereal was of lesser quality than the name-brand option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An early version of the product was of lesser quality.

The New York Times

The reprints are of lesser quality but all right.

The New York Times

"For things of lesser quality, the price had to be right".

The New York Times

And he is keen to avoid misunderstanding, for the House abounds with overcoats of lesser quality.

The Guardian

He writes "plums" while considering them of lesser quality than rhyming poetry.

The New Yorker

"You're generally going to places of lesser quality, because that's where the beds are," he said.

The New Yorker

Yes, that's expensive, but it's much less than some rosé champagnes of lesser quality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Probably the failure rate in the Science data would have been higher for work published in journals of lesser quality.

The Guardian - Opinion

One consequence is that food is becoming, once again, a commodity of "lesser quality and nutritional value".

The New York Times - Books

Their embryos are less likely to grow, he said, and stem cells derived from them may be of lesser quality.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He claims that the percentage of lesser-quality robusta beans in high-end Italian coffee has risen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items, be specific about which aspects are "of lesser quality". Provide details for clarity and avoid vague generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "of lesser quality" when no direct comparison is made. Always establish a clear reference point for comparison to ensure the statement is meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of lesser quality" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses a lower degree of quality compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It is used to describe a relative deficiency in quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of lesser quality" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is not as good as something else, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used across diverse domains like news, science, and academia to evaluate and inform about differences in quality. While the phrase is broadly applicable, it's essential to maintain a comparative context to avoid vagueness. Remember to specify what aspects contribute to the lower quality for better clarity and impact. Furthermore, while synonyms such as "inferior" or "substandard" exist, "of lesser quality" provides a slightly more nuanced approach in conveying a qualitative difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Of inferior grade

Indicates a lower rank or level in a classification system.

Of poorer standard

Emphasizes a deficiency in the level of excellence or achievement.

Not as high quality

A straightforward expression that highlights a deficit in quality.

Substandard

A single word indicating something falls below what's expected or required.

Of reduced merit

Focuses on the decreased value or worth of the subject.

Second-rate

A common term for something that is not the best.

Of lower caliber

Emphasizes a deficiency in competence or ability.

Not up to par

An idiomatic expression meaning something does not meet the required level.

Lacking in excellence

Emphasizes the absence of superior quality.

Deficient in quality

Highlights the inadequacy or incompleteness in terms of quality.

FAQs

How can I use "of lesser quality" in a sentence?

You can use "of lesser quality" to compare the quality of two or more things, for example: "This product is "of lesser quality" than the original."

What are some alternatives to saying "of lesser quality"?

Alternatives include "inferior", "substandard", or "second rate", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "of lower quality" or "of lesser quality"?

Both "of lower quality" and "of lesser quality" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What is the difference between "of lesser quality" and "low quality"?

"Of lesser quality" implies a comparison, while "low quality" simply describes something that is poor in quality without a direct comparison. For example, "This is a low-quality item" versus "This item is "of lesser quality" than that one."