Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word from the given options:-
I found a _____ number of books in the library than what I found last time.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → lesser
Lesser is a comparative of "little" meaning smaller in amount, size or importance. The word "than" calls for a comparative, and "lesser" is the only comparative among the options that can stand before the noun "number": "I found a lesser number of books in the library than what I found last time".
Example: He agreed to accept a lesser amount than he had first asked for.
Complete sentence: I found a lesser number of books in the library than what I found last time.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: less — Incorrect. Less goes before uncountable nouns (less water, less time); "a less number" is not used.
Example: Add less sugar to my tea.
Option 3: few — Incorrect. Few is not a comparative, so it cannot go with "than"; "a few number" is also wrong.
Example: Few people came to the meeting.
Option 4: least — Incorrect. Least is a superlative; it compares more than two and cannot be used with "than".
Example: He has the least experience of all the players.
Note: In careful modern English, "a smaller number of books" or just "fewer books" is preferred in this sentence, and "lesser" is not usually followed by "than". Among the given options, however, only "lesser" gives a comparative before "number", so it is the answer.