at the very bottom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the very bottom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the lowest part of something, whether it be a physical location or a metaphorical position. Example: "If you scroll down the webpage, you'll find the contact information at the very bottom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Unfortunately we were at the very bottom.

The Guardian

"It's aristocracy at the very bottom".

The Guardian - Music

"Now I'm at the very bottom.

The New York Times

He came out at the very bottom.

Harvard Business Review

That information is at the very bottom of the iceberg.

The New Yorker

Most of them cluster at the very bottom.

The Economist

At the very bottom he found his sneakers.

The New Yorker

His approach will be to start at the very bottom.

The Guardian

Somalia remains at the very bottom of the table.Two countries will be disappointed.

The Economist

Their descent down the table was catastrophic, however, finishing at the very bottom.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Click the OK button at the very-bottom of the Print Spooler Properties dialog box.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the very bottom" to emphasize the absolute lowest position, whether it's physical, hierarchical, or metaphorical. This adds a sense of finality or completeness to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "at the very bottom" when a simple "at the bottom" suffices. The "very" should only be included when you want to stress the extreme lowliness or finality of the position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the very bottom" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate location or position. It emphasizes the absolute lowest point in a physical or abstract sense. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the very bottom" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote the absolute lowest position, both physically and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and formal business settings. To use it effectively, reserve it for situations where you want to emphasize the extreme lowliness or finality of a position, and be mindful of its interchangeability with similar phrases like "at rock bottom" or "at the lowest level". Understanding its function and purpose will allow you to use the phrase with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the lowest level

Focuses on a hierarchical structure, emphasizing the position being the least important or influential.

at rock bottom

Implies being at the lowest possible point, often associated with a negative situation or crisis.

at the base

Highlights the foundational or supporting element, referring to the lowest part of a physical object or structure.

in last place

Specifically refers to being the last in a competition or ranking.

at the foot

Refers to the lowest part of something, often a mountain or hill.

at the lowest rung

Highlights being in the least advanced position on a hierarchical structure.

at the nadir

A more formal term indicating the lowest point, often used in abstract or figurative contexts.

at the tail end

Indicates being at the final part of a sequence or event.

at the lower extremity

Emphasizes the physical end or limit, specifically the lowest point.

at the depths

Indicates the deepest or most profound part of something, whether physical or abstract.

FAQs

How can I use "at the very bottom" in a sentence?

You can use "at the very bottom" to describe a physical location, like "The keys were "at the very bottom" of the bag", or a ranking, such as "The company was "at the very bottom" of the list".

What's a more formal way to say "at the very bottom"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "at the nadir" or "at the lowest level" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "at the bottom" and "at the very bottom"?

While "at the bottom" simply indicates a low position, ""at the very bottom"" emphasizes the extreme or absolute lowest position. The inclusion of "very" adds intensity.

Can "at the very bottom" be used metaphorically?

Yes, ""at the very bottom"" can be used metaphorically to describe the lowest point in a situation or ranking, such as "The team was "at the very bottom" after losing three games in a row".