to a greater or lesser extent — Used to say that something is true or applies to some degree, without specifying exactly how much.
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: Used to say that something is true or applies to some degree, without specifying exactly how much.
Pronunciation (IPA): /tə ə ˈɡreɪtər ɔːr ˈlɛsər ɪkˈstɛnt/
Example Sentences
- To a greater or lesser extent, every student procrastinates before exams.
- My cat ignores me to a greater or lesser extent depending on whether I have food.
- All countries are, to a greater or lesser extent, affected by climate change.
to a greater or lesser extent
NOUN[/tə ə ˈɡreɪtər ɔːr ˈlɛsər ɪkˈstɛnt/]
Used to say that something is true or applies to some degree, without specifying exactly how much.
To a greater or lesser extent, every worker in the harbor felt the storm's impact.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase developed from comparative adjectives 'greater' and 'lesser' combined with the noun 'extent', forming a fixed idiom used to soften or generalize a statement.
Breakdown
greater (more, comparative) + or + lesser (less, comparative) + extent (degree/amount) → 'in some degree, whether more or less'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“To a greater or lesser extent, every student procrastinates before exams.”
“My cat ignores me to a greater or lesser extent depending on whether I have food.”
“All countries are, to a greater or lesser extent, affected by climate change.”
“We were all nervous before the presentation, to a greater or lesser extent.”
📚Related Words
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