Who would imagine a little word like less could be less than simple to use correctly?
As an adjective, less can be used before a singular noun only:
- I would like less cream in my coffee.
But lesser (not as great in quantity, size, or value) is used before a plural noun:
- Lesser men have attempted that climb.
You can be given “a lesser” job (which does not mean “smaller”), but you can’t use the article a with less.
- He was given less responsibility.
However, if less is used as an adverb, you can use a:
- She has a less prominent position than before.
