least contributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least contributed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the minimal impact or involvement of something in a particular context or situation. Example: "In the analysis of the project's success, the marketing efforts were found to be the least contributed to the overall outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

No one could argue, though, that Weil's longtime practice of self-starvation hadn't, at the very least, contributed to her early death.

The New York Times - Books

"It is a global common meant for all but the costs are being borne by those who have least contributed to it.

The Guardian

Wells, 37, suspects that his outspoken nature and nonconformist acts have at least contributed to his travels around the major leagues despite a 161-107 record and.601 winning percentage.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps it's this very belief – that a "real" woman must be vulnerable in some way – that at least contributed to someone such as Hillary Clinton not winning the presidency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Blackstone, the American private equity firm, which owned Southern Cross five years ago, was accused Thursday by trade union representatives and some analysts of having at least contributed to the company's dire situation.

The New York Times

In a pre-emptive strike, the tyre maker offered its own trend data but no hard proof suggesting that the Explorer at least contributed to the high rate of blow-outs.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

This helps in identifying the segment that is least contributing to healthy pulmonary function or conversely most contributing to poor pulmonary function.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

You had to at least contribute to a depression's lifting.

The New Yorker

They did, at least, contribute to one of the greatest days in any World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

XMRV, the scientists suggested, may cause or at least contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome.

The New York Times

It has generally been assumed that death of neurons causes neurotransmitter loss, but alternatively neurotransmitter depletion itself may at least contribute to neurodegeneration.

Medical Hypotheses

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "least contributed to", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being compared to determine the minimal contribution. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "least contributed to" when the contribution was actually significant or substantial. Ensure the chosen phrase aligns with the accurate degree of influence or involvement to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least contributed to" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past participle phrase used to describe the minimal level of impact or influence something had on a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least contributed to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the minimal impact or influence of something within a given context. According to Ludwig AI, it's acceptable for use in written English. While it appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, demonstrating its versatility. To enhance clarity, ensure the context makes evident what is being compared. While "least contributed to" is relatively straightforward, remember to accurately reflect the level of influence to maintain credibility. Use of alternatives like "minimally contributed to", "negligibly contributed to", and "slightly contributed to" can help fine-tune your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimally contributed to

Replaces "least" with "minimally", emphasizing the slight degree of contribution.

negligibly contributed to

Indicates an insignificant or unimportant level of contribution.

slightly contributed to

Highlights the small extent of contribution.

hardly contributed to

Emphasizes the minimal or near absence of contribution.

barely contributed to

Suggests the contribution was just enough to be noticed.

played a minor role in

Shifts the focus to the role played, indicating a small level of impact.

had the smallest impact on

Highlights the impact, pinpointing the lowest level of influence.

were of little consequence to

Implies a lack of significant effect or importance.

were of minimal assistance to

Indicates that the contribution provided very little help or support.

scarcely affected

Highlights the minimal degree of influence or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "least contributed to" in a sentence?

You can use "least contributed to" to indicate the smallest influence or impact among multiple factors. For instance, "Among all the factors, marketing "least contributed to" the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "least contributed to"?

Some alternatives include "minimally contributed to", "negligibly contributed to", or "slightly contributed to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "least contributed to" or "contributed the least to"?

Both "least contributed to" and "contributed the least to" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on sentence structure and emphasis. "Least contributed to" often appears before the subject, while "contributed the least to" follows the subject.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "least contributed to"?

It is inappropriate to use "least contributed to" if the factor in question actually had a substantial impact. Ensure your word choice accurately reflects the degree of influence, considering options like "significantly contributed to" or "heavily influenced" if applicable.