somewhat lesser extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat lesser extent" is not correct in standard written English.
The word "lesser" is typically used in comparative contexts, and "somewhat" can create redundancy when paired with it. Example: "The project was successful to a somewhat lesser extent than anticipated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Drinking colostrum is therefore essential for newborn horses and cattle and required to a somewhat lesser extent by other mammals.

Britannica

Los Angeles and, to a somewhat lesser extent, San Francisco have long attracted the development of unconventional religious movements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Black voters will also be important in the New York primary on March 7 and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in the California voting the same day.

The New York Times

A good portion of "Consider the Eel" is spent not with eels but with those who catch, sell and -- to a somewhat lesser extent -- eat them.

The New York Times - Books

Most of Mississippi's electrical power comes from plants fired by coal and natural gas and to a somewhat lesser extent from a nuclear power station near Port Gibson.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The agreement, which was endorsed by all of the world's industrialized nations except the United States, amounts to a remarkable, multicultural expression of fear and, to a somewhat lesser extent, penitence.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Hrs and, to a lesser extent, STAM2, are somewhat labile.

Plosone

Temporal trends of our CVD syndrome ED visits, and CVD-related hospitalizations to a lesser extent, show a somewhat weak seasonal variation.

Plosone

Similar results were also obtained for poly NIPAAm) though the extent of accumulation was somewhat lesser than observed for the ELP.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

It comprises ~17% of our genome (~500,000 copies), but only members of the evolutionarily recent and human-specific subfamily, L1Hs (and to a lesser extent, members of the somewhat older primate L1PA subfamilies) are believed to be active [ 41, 42].

BioEssays

The associations between somatic disorders, psychological distress, and to a lesser extent physical impairments, were somewhat reduced when adjusting for social support, thereby helping the hypothesis of a mediator function gain some support.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider using more specific quantifiers like "slightly", "moderately", or "partially" instead of "somewhat" to better convey the degree of difference.

Common error

Be mindful of the potential redundancy in "somewhat lesser". Using "somewhat" with "lesser" can sometimes sound repetitive. Opt for alternatives like "slightly reduced extent" for a more streamlined expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat lesser extent" functions as an adverbial phrase of degree, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree to which something is true or applicable. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrasing can be grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat lesser extent" is used to indicate that something is true, applicable, or relevant, but to a reduced degree. Despite its common usage across diverse fields such as science, news, and encyclopedias, Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically questionable. It suggests that the combination of "somewhat" and "lesser" can be redundant and proposes more streamlined alternatives like "slightly reduced extent". While its meaning is generally clear, employing alternative phrasings can enhance precision and clarity in writing. When aiming for accuracy, you could replace it with words like "slightly", "moderately", or "partially".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a slightly smaller degree

Replaces "extent" with "degree" and "somewhat lesser" with "slightly smaller", focusing on the magnitude of difference.

to a marginally reduced scale

Substitutes "extent" with "scale" and uses "marginally reduced" to indicate a slight decrease.

to a somewhat diminished level

Replaces "extent" with "level" and uses "somewhat diminished" to convey a similar meaning of reduction.

to a moderately smaller proportion

Changes "extent" to "proportion" and uses "moderately smaller" to express a reduction in size or ratio.

to a slightly decreased amount

Replaces "extent" with "amount" and uses "slightly decreased" to indicate a small reduction in quantity.

to a partially reduced impact

Changes "extent" to "impact" and "somewhat lesser" to "partially reduced" suggesting a mitigation of effect.

to a somewhat curtailed scope

Substitutes "extent" with "scope" and uses "somewhat curtailed" to imply a limitation or restriction.

to a noticeably diminished quantity

Changes "lesser extent" to "noticeably diminished quantity" to emphasize a reduction in amount that is apparent.

to a reasonably decreased size

Replaces "extent" with "size" and uses "reasonably decreased" to indicate a moderate reduction in physical dimensions.

to a tempered degree

Uses "tempered degree" to indicate that something is being restrained or moderated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "somewhat lesser extent" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "to a "slightly smaller degree"", "to a "moderately reduced scale"", or "to a "partially diminished level"".

Is "somewhat lesser extent" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "somewhat lesser extent" can be considered grammatically awkward due to the overlapping meanings of "somewhat" and "lesser". Alternatives like "slightly reduced extent" may be preferred for clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "somewhat lesser extent" and "much lesser extent"?

"Somewhat lesser extent" implies a small reduction, while "much lesser extent" indicates a significantly larger reduction. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "somewhat lesser extent"?

The phrase is generally suitable in contexts where you need to indicate a moderate or slight reduction in degree, impact, or scope. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic texts.