to a lesser extent

to a lesser extent — 慣用語

1. used to say that something happens or is true in a smaller degree, with less for

1.慣用語B2
釋義

程度較低

程度或重要性比已提及的事物小

used to say that something happens or is true in a smaller degree, with less force, or in a less important way when compared with something or someone already mentioned.

例句

Mei-Lin enjoys historical novels, and her younger brother reads them to a lesser extent.

Mei-Lin 很喜歡歷史小說，她弟弟就比較沒那麼熱中。

comparison between two people

The new regulations affected urban areas heavily, but rural communities were impacted to a lesser extent.

新法規對都市地區影響很大，但鄉村社區受到的衝擊就比較小。

passive: be impacted to a lesser extent

同義詞
  • not as much

    less formal; used in everyday conversation rather than writing

  • to a smaller degree

    interchangeable with 'to a lesser extent', common in both speech and writing

  • less so

    more concise; used to avoid repeating a verb already mentioned

反義詞

文法句型

[clause], to a lesser extent [clause]

[subject] [verb] to a lesser extent than [object]

用法筆記

Frequently appears in a paired contrast structure with 'to a greater extent' or 'to a large extent' in the same sentence or surrounding context. The phrase can be placed at the beginning of a clause for emphasis, or after the verb for a neutral tone.

常見錯誤

❌To a lesser extent he agreed.
✅To a lesser extent, he agreed.
💡A comma after the phrase is standard when it opens a sentence.
❌He agreed to a lesser extend.
✅He agreed to a lesser extent.
💡'Extent' is the correct spelling, not 'extend'.