Less vs. Lesser

Attribute	Less	Lesser
Definition	Smaller in size or amount	Comparative form of "little", indicating a smaller degree or amount
Usage	Used to compare two things	Used to compare more than two things
Formality	Less formal	More formal
Examples	Less sugar, less time	Lesser of two evils, lesser-known artist

Definition and Usage

Less and lesser are two words in the English language that are often confused due to their similar meanings. However, they have distinct differences in terms of usage and context. Less is used to compare two things, indicating a smaller amount or degree of something. For example, "She has less money than her sister." On the other hand, lesser is used to compare three or more things, indicating the smallest amount or degree of something. For example, "She has the lesser of the three siblings."

Grammatical Function

Less is commonly used as a comparative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a smaller amount or degree. It can also be used as an adverb to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example, "He is less experienced than his colleague" or "She speaks less fluently than her sister." On the other hand, lesser is typically used as a comparative adjective, indicating the smallest amount or degree of something. For example, "She is the lesser of the two evils."

Comparative Forms

Less has comparative forms that are used to compare two things: "less" (positive), "less than" (comparative), and "the least" (superlative). For example, "She is less tall than her brother" or "She is the least talented in the group." Lesser, on the other hand, has comparative forms that are used to compare three or more things: "lesser" (positive), "lesser than" (comparative), and "the least" (superlative). For example, "She is the lesser of the three candidates."

Usage in Context

Less is often used in everyday language to indicate a smaller amount or degree of something. It is commonly used in comparisons to show a difference in quantity or quality. For example, "She has less homework than her classmates" or "He is less interested in sports than his friends." Lesser, on the other hand, is less commonly used in everyday language and is often reserved for more formal or literary contexts. It is used to indicate the smallest amount or degree of something. For example, "She is the lesser of two evils" or "He is the lesser-known author."

Common Mistakes

One common mistake that people make is using "less" when they should use "lesser" or vice versa. It is important to remember that "less" is used to compare two things, while "lesser" is used to compare three or more things. Another common mistake is using "lesser than" when "less than" would be more appropriate. It is important to pay attention to the number of things being compared in order to use the correct word.

Conclusion

In conclusion, less and lesser are two words in the English language that have distinct differences in terms of definition, usage, grammatical function, comparative forms, and common mistakes. While both words are used to indicate a smaller amount or degree of something, less is used to compare two things, while lesser is used to compare three or more things. It is important to pay attention to the context in which these words are used in order to ensure proper usage and avoid common mistakes.