least a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least a problem" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misphrasing and should likely be "at least a problem" to convey the intended meaning. Example: "I thought it would be easy, but it turned out to be at least a problem we need to address."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's at least a problem that PowaTag has grasped in its basic form.

TechCrunch

According to the Windows Azure Services Dashboard, there is at least a problem with some Azure storage services, which is marked as present at suffering from "Performance Degradation".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Two SPAQ definitions of sSAD exist: (a) GSS≥10 and the variation rated as no or only a mild problem or (b) GSS of 8 or 9 with the problem rated as at least a mild problem.

BMJ Open

That, at least, is a problem Dr Gupta is unlikely to have.

The Economist

That Armstrong and Butler at least raised a problem may reassure the prominent Whitehall-watcher, Prof Peter Hennessy.

The Guardian

That's a little bit of light, at least, on a problem that has gone largely unpublicized amid the noise of the immigration debate.

The New York Times - Arts

'There is credible evidence of, at least, a serious problem.

The Guardian

But he also points out an obvious fact: the United States has, to say the least, a perception problem.

The New York Times

Jobs admitting there was at the very least a small problem may have helped Apple's case.

Forbes

Moreover, the variation has to constitute at least a moderate problem and the respondent must feel worst in a winter month (November, December, January, February).

BMJ Open

And last but not least, a major problem facing studies of tissue-specific patterns of gene regulation is the availability of samples, both from patients and controls.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to say that something is "at least a problem", double-check to include the preposition "at". Omitting it creates a grammatical error.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "at" before "least" when you want to convey that something is, at the very minimum, a problem. The correct phrase is "at least a problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least a problem" functions as an incorrect attempt to indicate the minimum level of an issue or difficulty. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase lacks the preposition "at", resulting in a grammatical error. To correctly express the idea, the phrase "at least a problem" should be used.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least a problem" is grammatically incorrect. The proper way to express this idea is "at least a problem". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is missing the preposition "at", which makes it ungrammatical. Although "at least a problem" isn't particularly common, the corrected version allows you to acknowledge that an issue exists, even if it's believed to be minimal. Alternatives like "a minor issue" or "slight concern" can also be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least a problem

Corrects the grammatical error by adding the preposition "at".

a minor issue at the very least

Emphasizes the problem is present and might be more significant than initially perceived.

a challenge, to say the least

Highlights the problematic aspect using understatement.

a difficulty at the minimum

Indicates the bare minimum level of adversity.

a concern, if nothing else

Acknowledges a potential problem, even if other issues are absent.

a headache at the lower end

Positions the problem on a scale of annoyance or severity.

a snag, at the very bottom

Highlights an unexpected issue or obstacle.

a predicament, at the base level

Elevates the issue to something more serious.

a hurdle at the shallowest end

Uses a hurdle metaphor for the issue, positioning it as a barrier.

an inconvenience, at the smallest scale

Downplays the significance of the problem.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is a problem to some extent?

The proper phrase is "at least a problem". You might also consider alternatives depending on the context, such as a "minor issue" or "slight concern".

Is "least a problem" grammatically correct?

No, "least a problem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing includes the preposition "at", making it "at least a problem".

What can I say instead of "at least a problem"?

Depending on the context, you could use "a minor issue", "a slight concern", or "a minimal challenge".

Which is correct, "least a problem" or "at least a problem"?

"At least a problem" is the correct phrasing. "Least a problem" omits a necessary preposition and is therefore ungrammatical.