at the smallest

USAGE SUMMARY

'at the smallest' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the least or lowest amount or degree. For example, "She was willing to stay up late, but at the smallest effort she was ready to take a nap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(And often leaked freon at the smallest provocation).

The New York Times

Eleven Irish yews, bought at the smallest size 25-40cmm).

Independent

And the font has to be crisp even at the smallest sizes.

The New York Times - Arts

(Nobody seethes as well as Eisenberg, who frowns at the smallest hint of a slight).

The New Yorker

"They look at the smallest problem, and they think the picture is ruined.

The New York Times - Arts

Because nanotechnology operates at the smallest scales of our bodies, it is immensely powerful.

The Guardian

She was perpetually sour and incandescent with fury at the smallest infringement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Things are best done, in other words, at the smallest appropriate scale.

The Guardian - Opinion

The breadth of opportunity for student interaction is outstanding even at the smallest of colleges.

The New York Times

Lara had always felt tense, and had started at the smallest sound.

The New Yorker

The credit was aimed squarely at the smallest companies, which rarely offer health insurance to employees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the smallest" to describe a reaction, consider specifying the trigger for clarity, such as "He reacts strongly at the smallest provocation."

Common error

Avoid using "at the smallest" when you mean "least important." While something small can be unimportant, the phrase focuses on size or degree, not inherent value. For example, instead of saying "At the smallest, this error is negligible", consider "This error is negligible at worst."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the smallest" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the minimal scale, degree, or extent to which something occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the smallest" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify a minimum extent or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Science. While its core function is to indicate a lower limit, careful attention should be paid to choosing it over alternatives like "at the slightest" or "least important" to maintain precision. Understanding these nuances will help you use "at the smallest" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On the smallest scale

Highlights the dimension or scope being considered.

On a micro level

Highlights a very small or detailed perspective.

At the lowest level

Implies a hierarchical structure where the bottom rung is relevant.

At the minimum

Focuses on the lower limit or threshold.

To the slightest extent

Emphasizes the minimal degree or impact.

To the least degree

Similar to "slightest extent" but more formal.

In its infancy

Referring to the earliest stage of development.

At the grassroots level

Emphasizes a foundational or community-based level.

At rock bottom

Implies the lowest possible point, often in a negative context.

In a nutshell

Condenses the information to the most basic or essential elements.

FAQs

How can I use "at the smallest" in a sentence?

Use "at the smallest" to indicate the minimal extent, degree, or scale of something. For instance, "They addressed the problem "at the smallest" level to prevent further escalation".

What are some alternatives to using "at the smallest"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at the minimum", "on the smallest scale", or "to the slightest extent".

Is there a difference between "at the smallest" and "at the slightest"?

"At the smallest" typically refers to size or scale, while "at the slightest" indicates a minimal degree of something, often an action or indication. For example, "at the smallest error" versus "at the slightest hint of trouble".

In what contexts is "at the smallest" most appropriate?

"At the smallest" is suitable when discussing physical dimensions, data scales, or degrees of change. It's effective in both scientific and everyday contexts, as shown in Ludwig's examples.