bottom of the hierarchy

USAGE SUMMARY

"bottom of the hierarchy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the lowest level of something, such as a social class or group of people who have fewer power or resources than others. For example: "The people at the bottom of the hierarchy often don't have access to the same resources as those higher up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The patient should not be at the bottom of the hierarchy.

The New York Times

The people on the bottom of the hierarchy, she added, deserve "credibility and respect".

The New York Times

Each tree, at the bottom of the hierarchy, yields well-known algorithms in the respective area.

Science of Computer Programming

Increase the number of female employees being promoted from the bottom of the hierarchy to more senior positions.

Harvard Business Review

Although you will begin at the bottom of the hierarchy as a mere serf, there are opportunities to rise up the ranks.

The Guardian

The bottom of the hierarchy is composed of the sets A0 = Ø, A1, …, An, …, in which each An + 1 is the power set of the preceding An.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

However, close interoperation between the two equivalent hierarchical levels of the seawater desalination and nuclear power industries could decrease towards the bottom of the hierarchies due to real-world realities.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Andy Lewis, on his blog, Quackometer, publishes Steiner's hierarchy of value, and notes: "Nearer the bottom of the spiritual hierarchy we can find animals such as fish and reptiles.

The Guardian

That means companies would have to position resources from the bottom of the product hierarchy (components) at locations at the top of the geographical hierarchy (central distribution centers).

Harvard Business Review

Areas in the motion and form pathway are coupled through top-down feedback with V1 cells at the bottom end of the hierarchy.

Neural Networks

The bottom level of the hierarchy, the one that contains the leaves of the tree, is called 'Segment' and it contains 7, 003 different values.

EPJ Data Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bottom of the hierarchy", ensure the context clearly establishes the type of hierarchy being referenced (e.g., social, corporate, biological).

Common error

Avoid using "bottom of the hierarchy" when referring to a non-hierarchical structure. The phrase implies a clear ranking or ordering of elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bottom of the hierarchy" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the lowest position within a hierarchical structure. It often describes individuals, groups, or elements with the least authority or resources. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bottom of the hierarchy" effectively pinpoints the lowest stratum within any structured system, be it social, corporate, or conceptual. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to describe entities with limited power or resources. The analysis reveals a broad usage spectrum, from formal academic papers to general news articles, highlighting its versatility. To avoid ambiguity, always ensure the hierarchy in question is clear to the reader. Alternatives such as "lowest level in the structure" or "base of the pyramid" offer nuanced substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lowest level in the structure

Replaces 'hierarchy' with the more general term 'structure'.

base of the pyramid

Uses 'pyramid' as a metaphor for a hierarchical system.

foot of the ladder

Employs 'ladder' as an analogy for a hierarchical progression.

lowest rung of the social ladder

More specific to social hierarchies, using 'rung' to represent a position.

the lowest echelon

Uses the term 'echelon' to denote a level or rank in an organization.

the nadir of the pecking order

Utilizes 'pecking order' to describe a dominance hierarchy.

lower strata

Focuses on the stratification aspect of a hierarchical system.

the underclass

Highlights the socio-economic aspect of being at the bottom.

the rank and file

Referring to the ordinary members of an organization.

the grassroots level

Suggests the most basic or fundamental level of an organization.

FAQs

How can I use "bottom of the hierarchy" in a sentence?

You can use "bottom of the hierarchy" to describe the lowest level in any ranked system. For example: "New recruits typically start at the "bottom of the hierarchy" and work their way up."

What is an alternative to saying "bottom of the hierarchy"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lowest level in the structure", "base of the pyramid", or "foot of the ladder", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "bottom of the hierarchy" in formal writing?

Yes, "bottom of the hierarchy" is suitable for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to describe the lowest position in a ranking system.

What does "bottom of the hierarchy" imply?

The phrase "bottom of the hierarchy" implies a position with the least power, authority, or status within a structured system.