At least

USAGE SUMMARY

"at least" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not as bad as it could be, or to express an approximation of a number or amount. For example: "I only got 5 hours of sleep last night, but at least I still managed to get to work on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why "at least"?

Forbes

At least it moves.

The New York Times

"At least three times".

The New York Times

At least, history might.

The Economist

At least they're cheap.

The New York Times

At least 25 homers?

The New York Times

At least for him.

The New York Times

At least half.

The New York Times - Sports

At least they were.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At least a little.

The New York Times

At least theoretically.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "at least" when estimating a lower boundary. For example, "There were at least 100 people at the event."

Common error

Avoid using "at least" excessively in your writing, as it can diminish the impact of your statements. Vary your language with alternatives like "in any case" or "to say the least" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by expressing a minimum limit, a qualification, or a degree of consolation. It is frequently used to soften negative statements or provide a lower bound for estimations, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at least" functions as an adverbial phrase to express a minimum limit, qualification, or degree of consolation. It's grammatically correct and very commonly used across various contexts, including news, media, and science, with a neutral register. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and utility. To enhance your writing, use "at least" to introduce positive aspects or set lower boundaries, but avoid overusing it. Alternative phrases like "at a minimum" or "in any case" can add variety to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At a minimum

Replaces "at least" by emphasizing the lower boundary or requirement of something.

At the very least

Adds emphasis to the minimum requirement or expectation, intensifying the meaning of "at least".

In any case

Functions as "at least" when introducing a slightly comforting or qualifying statement despite a negative situation.

To say the least

Used to understate or qualify a statement, similar to how "at least" can mitigate a negative observation.

Even if only

Highlights a limited or minimal positive aspect, serving a similar purpose as "at least" in certain contexts.

If nothing else

Emphasizes that even if everything else is negative, there's still some positive aspect, similar to one use of "at least".

As a consolation

Directly implies the comforting aspect that "at least" can provide in a disappointing situation.

As a starting point

Indicates a baseline or minimum achievement, akin to specifying a minimum quantity with "at least".

To give some credit

Used when acknowledging a positive aspect despite overall negativity, paralleling a usage of "at least".

However

Used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement that mitigates a previous negative observation, similar to "at least".

FAQs

How can I use "at least" in a sentence?

"At least" can be used to express a minimum quantity or to offer a consolation. For example, "There were "at least ten" people there" or "I failed the test, but "at least I tried"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at least"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "at a minimum", "in any case", or "to say the least" as alternatives to "at least".

Is it correct to start a sentence with "at least"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "at least", especially when you want to emphasize a mitigating factor or a minimum condition. For example, "At least, he noticed."

What's the difference between "at least" and "at most"?

"At least" indicates a minimum quantity or degree, while "at most" indicates a maximum. For example, "There are "at least 50" people" means there are 50 or more, and "There are "at most 50" people" means there are 50 or fewer.