as worst

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as worst" is not correct and is not usable in written English.
Instead, one might say "at worst" or "at its worst." For example, "At its worst, the storm created chaos throughout the city."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I also find it interesting that the same photo of me as worst dressed ran in Us magazine as an example of "Star Style".

The New York Times - Magazine

As worst cases go, more of the same is acceptable.

The New York Times

Her appearance in one of the Naked Gun sequels earned her an award as worst new star (with OJ Simpson taking an equivalent honour as worst supporting actor).

The Guardian - Music

MARIAH CAREY won the uncoveted Razzie as worst actress in her 2001 film "GLITTER".

The New York Times

It was nominated for six Golden Raspberry awards, winning one for Madonna as worst actress.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Censured as Worst Actor and Actress were Adam Sandler in Big Daddy and Heather Donahue in The Blair Witch Project.

The Guardian - Film

How else to explain a proposal in the 112th Congress — that is, the one known as worst, ever — to ban the word "lunatic" from federal law.

The New York Times

Georgia came out as worst on a corruption risk report from the State Integrity Investigation, which measured factors like accountability, transparency and ethics enforcement.

The New York Times

The best as well as worst comes down when architectural fashions change or land values go up and the wreckers move in.

The New York Times

Financial advisers are preaching caution and paint such outcomes as worst cases, especially given the size of several of the firms under investigation.

The New York Times

While Delhi ranked as worst on the PM2.5 scale in the WTO data, measurements of larger PM10 particles showed others as far more polluted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "as worst" in your writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "at worst" or "in the worst case" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is using "as" instead of "at" when intending to describe the most unfavorable scenario. Always use "at worst" or "in the worst case" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as worst" functions as a prepositional phrase, although it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not considered standard English. The intended function is typically to denote a worst-case scenario or the most unfavorable condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as worst" is frequently encountered, yet grammatically unsound. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect, suggesting alternatives like "at worst" or "in the worst case". While examples can be found across various sources, including news and scientific publications, it's important to recognize its grammatical deficiency. Using correct alternatives will ensure clarity and improve the perceived quality of your writing. To avoid ambiguity, favor phrases like "at its worst" or "in the worst case" to accurately convey the intended meaning of a most unfavorable situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its worst

This alternative corrects the grammatical error by using the correct preposition 'at' to describe the most negative state or condition.

at worst

This provides a concise alternative, indicating the maximum degree of negativity or adversity.

in the worst case

This phrase presents a specific scenario, focusing on the most unfavorable outcome.

in the worst situation

This phrase focuses on describing the most unfavorable circumstances or conditions.

under the worst conditions

This highlights the impact of adverse circumstances on a particular process or outcome.

in the poorest condition

Replaces "worst" with "poorest" to emphasize a state of deficiency or lack.

at the lowest point

Describes a state of decline or disadvantage, focusing on the lowest possible level.

in the most unfavorable light

Emphasizes the perspective or perception of a situation as being highly negative.

under the most dire circumstances

Highlights the severity and urgency of a given situation, indicating extreme adversity.

in the absolute worst scenario

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the situation by framing it as a possible outcome.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "worst" in a prepositional phrase?

The correct preposition to use with "worst" is "at". Use "at worst" to indicate the most unfavorable outcome or possibility. For example, "At worst, we might lose a few hours of work".

What can I say instead of "as worst"?

Instead of "as worst", use alternatives like "at worst", "in the worst case", or "at its worst" depending on the context.

Is "as worst" grammatically correct?

No, "as worst" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "at worst". The use of "as" in this context is a misuse of prepositions.

How does "at worst" differ from "in the worst case"?

"At worst" is a more concise and general expression, while "in the worst case" specifies a hypothetical, most unfavorable scenario. Both are grammatically correct alternatives.