the lesser of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the lesser of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate comparison between two items, with the lesser of those two items being the one with the smaller amount or degree. For example: "He chose the lesser of two evils".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The lesser of evils.

The New Yorker

The lesser of two evils".

Independent

Choose the lesser of the two evils".

The New York Times

It was the lesser of evils.

The New Yorker

"You choose the lesser of the evils".

The New York Times - Health

"It's the lesser of two evils".

The New York Times

Sure, it's the lesser of two evils.

The Guardian

> > public is the lesser of a range of evils here.

University of California, Berkeley

> public is the lesser of a range of evils here.

University of California, Berkeley

Neither candidate qualifies as the lesser of the two evils.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The lesser-of-two-evils philosophy, I have come to believe, ultimately contributes to despair.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the lesser of", ensure that the comparison is clear and the context provides a good understanding of what aspects are being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser" when referring to countable items; use "fewer" instead. "Lesser" is typically used for abstract qualities or non-countable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the lesser of" functions as a determiner phrase used to specify one of two options that is of a smaller magnitude, degree, or importance. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

22%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the lesser of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to compare two options and select the one that is smaller or less significant. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. Remember to use "fewer" instead of "lesser" for countable items and ensure that the comparison is clear in your writing. Alternative phrases such as "the smaller of" or "the lower of" can be used depending on the context to maximize readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the smaller of

Focuses specifically on the size or amount, emphasizing the reduced quantity.

the minor of

Highlights the insignificance or reduced importance of one option compared to another.

the lower of

Emphasizes a reduced position or degree, often used in quantifiable contexts.

the weaker of

Implies a reduced strength or influence in one of the choices.

the insignificant of

Highlights a reduced relevance and value.

the lighter of

Refers to a reduced intensity or severity.

the reduced of

Indicates a decrease in volume, quantity or intensity of a choice.

the slighter of

Emphasizes a reduced importance or effect.

the inferior of

Indicates that a choice is worse in quality or value.

the subordinate of

Indicates that a choice is of lower rank or importance.

FAQs

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

The phrase "the lesser of" is used to compare two options and select the one that is smaller, less significant, or less undesirable. For example, "We chose "the lesser of two evils"".

What's the difference between "the lesser of" and "the least of"?

"The lesser of" is used for comparing two specific items, while "the least of" is used when comparing three or more items. For instance, "He picked "the lesser of two options"" versus "She chose "the least of the available alternatives"".

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

Alternatives include "the smaller of", "the lower of", or "the minor of", depending on the specific context. All these alternatives are to be considered when you want to pick the choice with lower importance.

Is it appropriate to use "the lesser of" in formal writing?

Yes, "the lesser of" is appropriate for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and widely used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. Just be sure that this expression works well in the context you want to express.