least concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"least concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe the lowest level of risk in a situation. For example, "The Director of Public Health assessed the current virus outbreak as having a least concern level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that is not the least concern of yours'.

The Guardian

Their conservation status is now of "least concern".

The Guardian

At least concern for women's supposed frailty has diminished".

The Guardian

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies most kingfishers as species of least concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Nebraska players are perhaps taking this final tour with the least concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Of least concern arethose that have a minimal impact on the national psyche.

The New York Times - Books

"The use of nanomaterials in therapeutics represents the area of least concern," Bowman says.

The Guardian

Club bookings, however, are the least concern of most Christian bands.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a point reinforced by the England player causing the least concern, wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

The New York Times - Sports

The residues of antibiotics in meat should be of least concern to most people.

The New York Times - Food

Crop damage is the least concern with respect to tornadoes.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing conservation status, use "least concern" to indicate a species is not currently threatened. For example, "The IUCN lists the species as being of least concern."

Common error

Avoid using "least concern" in everyday conversations where simpler phrases like "not a big deal" or "minor issue" would be more appropriate. Reserve it for formal or scientific contexts where precise categorization is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least concern" functions as a noun phrase typically used in a predicative position or as a classifier. As Ludwig AI indicates, it categorizes the level of risk and is very common in specific domains such as biology and conservation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least concern" is a grammatically correct noun phrase primarily used in formal and scientific contexts, especially within conservation and risk assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to classify species or situations that are not currently threatened, according to standardized criteria. While highly prevalent in scientific reports and assessments, it is less suited for casual conversation where simpler alternatives might be preferred. The phrase is most frequently found in sources such as Wikipedia, news outlets, and scientific publications, highlighting its role in both expert and general-audience discussions of conservation status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor worry

Focuses on the level of worry associated with something.

minimal significance

Highlights the low level of importance.

negligible issue

Emphasizes the insignificance of the problem.

slightest apprehension

Highlights the minimal level of fear or anxiety.

smallest consideration

Focuses on the limited attention something requires.

secondary priority

Indicates a lower level of importance compared to other things.

lower-level priority

Indicates a decreased level of importance.

reduced importance

Indicates a decreased level of importance.

not a priority

Focuses on lack of importance.

low priority

Indicates the reduced urgency or importance.

FAQs

How is "least concern" used in conservation?

In conservation, "least concern" is a category used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to classify species that are widespread and abundant, and not currently facing significant threats to their survival. This doesn't mean the species is immune to future threats, but its current population is stable.

What does it mean when a species is classified as "least concern"?

When a species is classified as "least concern", it means that, according to available data, its population is stable and widespread enough that it does not qualify for a threatened category (e.g., Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered). This classification is based on factors like population size, range, and observed trends.

What are some alternatives to "least concern" in everyday language?

In less formal contexts, you can use phrases like "not a worry", "not a big deal", or "of little importance". However, in scientific or conservation contexts, "least concern" is the precise and preferred term.

Is "least concern" the same as "not threatened"?

While related, they are not precisely the same. "Least concern" is a specific category in the IUCN Red List, indicating a species doesn't meet the criteria for any threatened category. "Not threatened" is a more general term that could encompass both "least concern" and species that haven't been formally assessed. Consider alternatives such as "safe" or "secure".