What is the difference between less, lesser and lessen?

[Heiner]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #218 "Confusing Words test (1)", question 7

After a year of continual turmoil, Kevin decided to move to a place with ......... political upheaval.

(a) fewer
(b) less
(c) lesser
(d) few

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #218 "Confusing Words test (1)", answer 7

After a year of continual turmoil, Kevin decided to move to a place with less political upheaval.

Correct answer: (b) less

Your answer was: correct
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When do we use less rather than to lessen or lessor?

Heiner

[Yankee]

Hi Heiner

Have you checked a dictionary? http://www.onelook.com/?w=less&ls=a

Click on the dictionary links below:

less
to lessen (verb)
lessor (noun)
.

[Alan]

Hi Heiner,

There seems to be some confusion here about 'lesser' and 'lessor'. Let's separate 'lessor' first because that is a noun derived from the verb 'lease' meaning let someone use something (typically a property) in return for rent and the person who offers the 'lease' is called a 'lessor'.

Back to the test - the choice is 'fewer'/'less'/'lesser'/'few'. Clearly the right word is 'less', which is the comparative of '(a) little' because here we are talking about a smaller amount of political upheaval than there is in another place. 'Lessen' is a verb meaning 'reduce' and finally 'lesser' is an adjective suggesting 'not so great as another or others'. When we talk about a famous writer, we can refer to their 'lesser writings' written perhaps in their early period before they became established.

Alan
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