least affordable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least affordable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the most expensive or difficult to pay for among a group of options. Example: "Among all the housing options available, this one is the least affordable for most families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to a new report on rental affordability, Byron is officially the least affordable place to live in all of eastern Australia.

Vice

Orange and San Diego counties tied as the least affordable in Southern California, with 24% of residents able to afford homes.

Los Angeles Times

And these areas are three of the four least affordable to the local population, according to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo's affordability index.

Forbes

San Francisco remained the least affordable county in the state, with only 10% of its residents able to afford a median-priced home.

Los Angeles Times

For most northerners, it is our least affordable city.

The Guardian

New Jersey was among the 15 least affordable places, tied with six other states at 44percentt, while Connecticut was among the 19 least affordable, at 42percentt.

The New York Times

The cities have the least affordable housing markets of 87 metropolitan regions across nine countries.

Independent

The world's least affordable housing markets have been revealed – and London features high on the list.

Independent

New research shows that North Wales, Merseyside and Northeast England have the least affordable energy.

Independent

Australian house prices are now the third least affordable in the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

By some measures, Santa Cruz is considered the "least affordable" small metro area in the US.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple options, use "least affordable" to clearly indicate the most expensive choice. For example, "Among various housing options, the newly renovated apartments are the "least affordable".

Common error

Avoid using "least affordable" when only one item is being discussed. The term implies a comparison, so use alternatives like "expensive" or "costly" if there are no other options for comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least affordable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun is the most expensive or difficult to pay for in a comparison group. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least affordable" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to denote the most expensive option in a comparison. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, primarily within news, business, and academic spheres. It's crucial to ensure a comparative context when using the phrase to accurately convey its meaning. Alternatives like "most expensive" or "prohibitively expensive" can be considered for nuanced emphasis. This thorough analysis provides writers with guidance for effectively incorporating "least affordable" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most expensive

Focuses directly on the high cost.

most costly

Synonymous, emphasizes the financial burden.

prohibitively expensive

Highlights the exclusion due to high price.

unaffordable

A direct synonym, though slightly less emphatic.

financially inaccessible

Emphasizes the lack of financial access.

beyond one's means

Highlights that something is outside of someone's financial reach.

economically out of reach

Focuses on the economic barriers.

unreasonably priced

Highlights an unfair price.

overpriced

Implies the price is higher than its value.

highly-priced

Emphasizes the elevated pricing.

FAQs

How to use "least affordable" in a sentence?

Use "least affordable" to compare the cost of multiple options, indicating which is the most expensive. For example, "This neighborhood has become the "least affordable" in the city compared to others".

What can I say instead of "least affordable"?

Alternatives include "most expensive", "prohibitively expensive", or simply "unaffordable" depending on the desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "least affordable" or "less affordable"?

"Least affordable" indicates the most expensive option among many, while "less affordable" indicates a lower degree of affordability compared to something else. The choice depends on the context of comparison.

What's the difference between "least affordable" and "most expensive"?

While similar, "least affordable" emphasizes the impact on someone's ability to pay, whereas "most expensive" simply indicates the highest price. "Least affordable" suggests a struggle to manage the cost.