end of the hierarchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "end of the hierarchy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the lowest level or position within a structured system or organization. Example: "At the end of the hierarchy, employees often feel disconnected from the decision-making processes that affect their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

There will be a hierarchy and the uninsured depositors will be at the end of the hierarchy..

The Guardian - Business

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

At the bottom are items where valuations are based wholly on management projections (eg, Enron's most esoteric financial instruments).It is the lower end of the hierarchy that causes concern.

The Economist

In Kazakhstan, faculty members "tend to earn half the salaries of peers with similar qualifications," while the authors warn that "Japan, Germany, Israel and the United States will find it harder to attract young talent in the future, unless salaries at the lower end of the hierarchy improve".

The New York Times

At the other end of the hierarchy, the lowest, that is, most granular, level is given by the elementary short-term frames.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

On the other end of the hierarchy, Chinese college students offer WorldPost Senior Editor Kathleen Miles their surprising views about America.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The reason for not using 'limited' concepts that were based on a classification concept or an administrative definition was that they did not seem to be modelled into SNOMED CT like other concepts, as they were 'hanging in the end' of the hierarchies in SNOMED CT.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Conversely, a system that increases compensation by declining percentages could lead employees at the higher ends of the hierarchy to feel they are under compensated and cause them to reduce their effort to the level of their pay.

Columbia University

A structure that increases compensation by rising percentages could lead employees at the lower ends of the hierarchy to feel under compensated, prompting them to reduce their effort to the level of their compensation and make operations less efficient.

Columbia University

At the low end of this hierarchy is the standard planar pinhole camera for which the structure from motion problem is non-linear and ill-posed.

Computer Vision and Image Understanding

The RII by logistic regression is the odds of current smoking at the lowest end of the educational hierarchy as compared with the odds of current smoking at the very top of the educational hierarchy.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "end of the hierarchy", consider the specific context to ensure the term accurately reflects the intended meaning. Is it the bottom in terms of power, value, or some other attribute? Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "end of the hierarchy" when you actually mean 'the absence of hierarchy' or 'the dissolution of a hierarchical structure'. The phrase assumes a hierarchy exists; be precise in your language to avoid confusing the presence vs the absence of order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "end of the hierarchy" typically functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition, indicating a position or level within a structured system. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase accurately labels where the structure stops.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "end of the hierarchy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the lowest or final position within a structured system. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning, differentiating it from the absence of hierarchy altogether. Common across various domains such as news, science, and academia, this phrase effectively communicates placement within organizational or societal structures. Remember to consider alternatives like "bottom of the ladder" or "lowest level of authority" for nuanced expression. To avoid misinterpretations, be precise in your usage, making it clear whether you are referring to the location within a hierarchy or the lack thereof.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bottom of the ladder

Replaces 'hierarchy' with 'ladder', focusing on the structure as a vertical progression.

lowest level of authority

Substitutes 'hierarchy' with a focus on authority and its lowest extent.

base of the pyramid

Uses 'pyramid' as a metaphor for hierarchy, emphasizing the foundational aspect.

terminal point in command

Rephrases 'end of the hierarchy' referring to chain of command.

entry-level position

Replaces the more abstract 'hierarchy' with the concrete term 'position', referring to the base rank.

lowest echelon

Employs 'echelon' to represent the hierarchical level, suggesting a military or organizational structure.

inferior rank

Focuses on the relative ranking, implying a subordinate position.

ground floor

Uses an architectural metaphor to convey the lowest level or starting point.

weakest spot

Shift the focus from a positional ranking to a more strategic vulnerability point.

vanishing point

Uses an artistic metaphor to convey the final level or last entity within the concept of a hierarchical perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "end of the hierarchy" to refer to the lowest level or position within a structured system. For example: "At the "end of the hierarchy", employees often feel disconnected from the decision-making processes."

What phrases are similar to "end of the hierarchy"?

Similar phrases include "bottom of the ladder", "lowest level of authority", or "base of the pyramid", depending on the specific context you're trying to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "bottom of the hierarchy" or "end of the hierarchy"?

Both "end of the hierarchy" and "bottom of the hierarchy" are acceptable. "Bottom of the hierarchy" might be more intuitive, but "end of the hierarchy" is also commonly used and understood.

When should I avoid using the phrase "end of the hierarchy"?

Avoid using "end of the hierarchy" if you intend to convey the absence of a hierarchy or the dissolution of a hierarchical structure. In such cases, consider using phrases like "absence of hierarchy" or "flattened organizational structure".