least appropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least appropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the most unsuitable or least fitting in a given context. Example: "Among the options presented, the red dress was the least appropriate choice for a formal business meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

In contrast, no-one considered case types 26 or 31 to be definitely suitable for admission, whilst the appropriateness scores for the five case types considered least appropriate for hospital care (the marginal inpatient case types) ranged from 11.8 to 28.6%%.

BMC Health Services Research

Respondents were asked to indicate which model of care they currently worked within for PwT2D in General Practice who need to start insulin and then to rank the six models of care in order of perceived appropriateness, with 1 being most appropriate and 6 being least appropriate.

BMC Health Services Research

A range of key staff judged the appropriateness of these admissions and suggested alternative care for those considered least appropriate for hospital.

BMC Health Services Research

Indeed, Iraq may be one of the least appropriate targets for the antiterrorism campaign.

The New York Times

The least appropriate was undoubtedly Joaquin Cortes tapdancing his Saving Private Ryan routine.

The Guardian

It helps you endure, and it makes whining the least appropriate response to suffering.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

For almost all scenarios (98%), there was at least one appropriate option available, while exactly one appropriate option existed for 83% of scenarios.

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Clegg asked employers to pay at least the appropriate national minimum wage or payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

The Guardian

Having no cards, at least, seemed appropriate, for much about Mr. Jiang, beginning with his real name, is a mystery.

The New York Times - Books

All 58 reviewed PPs may be successfully stabilized during 7 days in surface waters by at least one appropriate methodology regarding temperature, acidic and non-acidic preservatives.

Talanta

Another big button manufacturer had 10,000 MacArthur buttons, in stock, with captions highly agreeable to the General's supporters & at least as appropriate now as in '48; one reads "America's Hero," the other "The Man of the Hour".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "least appropriate", clearly define the criteria for appropriateness in the given context to avoid ambiguity. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "least appropriate" when "somewhat inappropriate" or "less appropriate" would be more accurate. Exaggerating the degree of inappropriateness can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least appropriate" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it is the most unsuitable or unfitting among a group of options. As Ludwig AI highlights, the examples demonstrate usage across various domains from scientific to general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

6.66%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3.33%

Wiki

3.33%

Reference

3.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least appropriate" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe something as the most unsuitable option among several possibilities. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and used across diverse fields, including science, news, and business. To use it effectively, clearly define what constitutes 'appropriateness' in your context. While generally neutral to professional in tone, be mindful of overstating the degree of inappropriateness. Consider alternatives like "most unsuitable" or "least suitable" to achieve the nuance you want. Remember that this phrase is effective for conveying a negative assessment and steering away from specific choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most unsuitable

Focuses directly on the unsuitability, emphasizing a lack of fitness for a specific purpose or situation.

most unfitting

Highlights that something does not fit well or match the requirements of a situation.

least suitable

Similar to "least appropriate", but emphasizes a lack of adequacy for a particular purpose.

most improper

Emphasizes a violation of established rules or standards of behavior.

most inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency or deficiency of something in meeting a specific need.

least advisable

Recommends against something, suggesting it is not a good course of action.

most ill-advised

Similar to "least advisable", but carries a stronger connotation of poor judgment.

most injudicious

Highlights a lack of wisdom or good judgment in a decision or action.

most uncalled-for

Emphasizes that something is unnecessary and unwelcome in a given situation.

most unseemly

Focuses on the inappropriateness of something in terms of decorum or social norms.

FAQs

How can I use "least appropriate" in a sentence?

You can use "least appropriate" to describe something that is the most unsuitable or unfitting in a given situation. For example, "Among the options presented, the informal attire was the "least appropriate" choice for the formal gala."

What are some alternatives to using "least appropriate"?

Some alternatives to "least appropriate" include "most unsuitable", "most unfitting", or "least suitable", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "least appropriate" and "inappropriate"?

"Inappropriate" generally means unsuitable or not fitting for a particular situation. "Least appropriate" indicates that something is the most unsuitable among a set of options. Thus "least appropriate" is a more specific and comparative term than the general "inappropriate".

When is it better to use "least suitable" instead of "least appropriate"?

While "least suitable" and "least appropriate" are often interchangeable, "least suitable" may be more fitting when discussing functional adequacy, whereas "least appropriate" is often preferred when referring to matters of etiquette, decorum, or social norms. For example, using a hammer is the "least suitable" tool for screwing a screw, whereas wearing jeans to a wedding would be considered the "least appropriate" attire.