at least one

USAGE SUMMARY

"at least one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that an amount or number is not lower than one, or when you want to emphasize the minimum amount of something. For example: "We need to buy at least one dozen eggs for the cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least one participant?

The New Yorker

Choose at least one question.

The New York Times

At least one driver agreed.

The New York Times

At least one felt ill.

The New York Times - Magazine

At least one was 13.

The New York Times

At least one person cried.

The New York Times

Include at least one illustration.

The New York Times

At least one was decapitated.

The New York Times

At least one person died.

The Economist

At least one has a foreign partner.

The Economist

Most own at least one business.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at least one" to set a lower limit, implying that the actual quantity might be higher. This clarifies expectations without restricting possibilities.

Common error

Avoid phrases that unnecessarily complicate the basic requirement indicated by "at least one". Keep your language simple and direct to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least one" functions as a determiner and quantifier, specifying a minimum quantity. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage across numerous examples. It sets a lower limit, indicating that the actual number could be one or more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at least one" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a minimum quantity or requirement that something must have. Ludwig AI validates its usage across a wide range of contexts, from formal news articles to informal wikis, highlighting its adaptability and widespread acceptance. While alternatives like "one or more" or "no less than one" exist, sticking to "at least one" provides clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At a minimum one

Replaces "least" with "a minimum" to emphasize the lower bound.

No less than one

Uses a double negative to convey the minimum requirement.

One or more

Emphasizes the possibility of having more than just one.

At the very least one

Adds emphasis on the minimum acceptable quantity.

At least a single

Combines "at least" with "single" for added emphasis.

A single

Highlights the singularity, useful when only one is strictly needed.

As a minimum of one

Formally specifies the minimum requirement.

One at the low end

Expresses the minimum from a different perspective.

A minimum of a single

Adds redundancy for stronger emphasis on the minimum quantity.

One to say the least

Emphasizes that one is the bare minimum and there could be more.

FAQs

How to use "at least one" in a sentence?

Use "at least one" to indicate a minimum quantity or requirement. For example, "You must choose "at least one" question from the list."

What can I say instead of "at least one"?

You can use alternatives like "one or more", "no less than one", or "at a minimum one" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at least one" or "at minimum one"?

Both "at least one" and "at a minimum one" are acceptable, but "at least one" is more common and generally preferred for its simplicity.

What's the difference between "at least one" and "only one"?

"At least one" means one or more, while "only one" means exactly one, no more and no less. The first sets a lower bound and the second defines an exact quantity.