At most

USAGE SUMMARY

"At most" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to label the maximum amount of something in a given scenario. Example Sentence: I can only afford to pay $10 for lunch, at most.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At most.

The New York Times

At most 1%.

The New York Times

At most, two.

The Economist

At most fifty per cent.

The New Yorker

At most French companies, the C.E.O.

The New Yorker

At most, I saw him annually.

The New York Times

"At most maybe 20 people, 15 people".

The New York Times - Arts

At most, the two groups overlap.

The Economist

At most, it requires buying an app.

The New York Times - Tech

At most tables, four hearts went down.

The New York Times

At most, it could be managed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context supports the use of "at most"; it's best suited for scenarios where you're defining the highest permissible or expected value.

Common error

Avoid using "at most" when you need to define a minimum acceptable value. "At least" is the correct phrase to use when indicating a lower boundary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at most" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a noun or verb, specifying an upper limit or maximum quantity. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts to define the maximum permissible or expected amount. It is used to express restriction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Science

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at most" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to specify an upper limit or maximum quantity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as wiki content, indicating a neutral register. When using "at most", ensure that the context involves setting a maximum permissible value, and avoid confusing it with "at least", which indicates a minimum value. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "no more than" or "not exceeding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than

Replaces "at most" with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the limitation.

not more than

Very similar to "no more than", but slightly less formal.

at the very most

Emphasizes that the value is the absolute highest possible.

maximum of

Directly states the upper limit, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

no greater than

Emphasizes a quantitative restriction, often used in mathematical or statistical contexts.

up to

Indicates an inclusive upper limit, implying the possibility of reaching that limit.

not exceeding

Formal and emphasizes the boundary that should not be crossed.

a ceiling of

Suggests a maximum level that cannot be surpassed.

at the outside

An informal alternative, suggesting an estimated upper limit.

at best

Indicates that the most optimistic scenario still involves this limit.

FAQs

How do I use "at most" in a sentence?

Use "at most" to indicate a maximum limit or upper bound. For example, "You can invite ten people, "at most"."

What are some alternatives to using "at most"?

You can use phrases like "no more than", "up to", or "maximum of" as alternatives to "at most", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "at most" and "at least"?

Yes, "at most" indicates an upper limit, while "at least" indicates a lower limit. They are opposites; "at most" means not more than, and "at least" means not less than.

When is it appropriate to use "at most" in formal writing?

"At most" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "not exceeding" or "no greater than".