rather lesser

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather lesser" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is generally used incorrectly because "lesser" already implies a comparative degree, and "rather" does not add clarity or correctness. Example: "This option is rather lesser than the previous one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fortunately for the cause of literature, if not for Peruvian public life, he was defeated by Alberto Fujimori.This month Jaime Bayly, a writer of humorous novels of rather lesser stature who is also a television talk-show host, has launched his candidacy for a presidential election due in April 2011.

The Economist

A mere 20 years on, and social media can facilitate much more ready access with rather lesser risk of eyewitnesses.

Security Informatics

When Color came out with its $41m play, a rather lesser known startup had planned to launch around the same time – as these things go.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That would "accord death row inmates the same, rather than lesser, procedural safeguards as ordinary litigants".

The New York Times

They should be packed in olive oil rather than lesser quality cottonseed or soy oil.

The New York Times - Food

The district attorney's office, as well, has insisted on felony charges (grand theft, burglary and vandalism) rather than lesser misdemeanor counts.

The New York Times - Style

Putting aside whether "Julie & Julia" is organic or crammed with artificial flavors, it's too bad Ms. Nochimson didn't choose a brilliant director who makes films about women, like Jane Campion, rather than lesser talents like Ms. Meyers and Ms. Ephron to make her argument.

The New York Times

I argue that we should by default assume that any particular landscape has had greater rather than lesser human manipulation through time.

Anthropocene

The leniency of the Ray Rice suspension comes at a time when stronger, rather than lesser penalties, need to be instituted in order to make greater inroads into the psyche of the athlete to be mindful that violence toward women is unacceptable.

Huffington Post

The justice went on to claim that "most" black scientists "don't come from schools like the University of Texas," but rather from "lesser schools where they do not feel that... they're being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them".

Huffington Post

Further argument is needed to explain why being genetically related to a greater rather than lesser degree generates obligations, especially where the elements of voluntary cause are clearly not applicable (which applies as much to aunts, cousins or other members of the wider family as it does to grandparents).

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "rather lesser" as it's grammatically awkward. Instead, opt for more precise and standard alternatives like "somewhat smaller" or "slightly inferior" for clarity.

Common error

Be cautious about stacking intensifiers like "rather" with comparatives such as "lesser". Often, "lesser" alone is sufficient, and adding "rather" can make the phrase sound redundant and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather lesser" is primarily used as a modifier, attempting to describe the degree to which something is less than another. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather lesser" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. With only a few examples available, its usage is rare and can sound awkward or redundant. It attempts to express a slight difference in degree or quality, but clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "somewhat smaller" or "slightly inferior" are recommended. While it occasionally appears in news and media contexts, its informal tone makes it unsuitable for more formal writing. Therefore, it's best to avoid using "rather lesser" in favor of more precise and conventional language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat smaller

Emphasizes a slight difference in size or amount.

slightly inferior

Highlights a small difference in quality or status.

relatively minor

Indicates a difference that is not particularly important or significant.

marginally reduced

Focuses on a small decrease or reduction.

noticeably less

Highlights that something is evidently not as much or as good.

considerably smaller

Indicates a substantial difference in size.

significantly reduced

Emphasizes a large and important decrease.

appreciably lower

Suggests a difference that is easily perceived.

somewhat diminished

Implies a reduction in importance or quality.

slightly curtailed

Focuses on a small limitation or restriction.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "rather lesser"?

Instead of "rather lesser", consider using phrases like "somewhat smaller", "slightly inferior", or "relatively minor". These alternatives offer greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "rather lesser" grammatically correct?

No, "rather lesser" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. "Lesser" already implies a degree of comparison, so adding "rather" is generally redundant. It's better to use phrases like "slightly inferior".

When is it appropriate to use "rather lesser"?

While not generally recommended due to its awkwardness, "rather lesser" might be used informally to emphasize a small difference. However, clearer alternatives like "somewhat smaller" are almost always preferable.

Are there contexts where "rather lesser" is acceptable?

In most formal and professional contexts, "rather lesser" should be avoided. Opt for more standard comparative phrases. Although some instances can be found in informal context or creative writing, the user must keep in mind that the usage can be perceived as an error.