least frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase "least frequent" in written English.
For example, you could say "The least frequent number in this data set was 3."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very frequently, the classifiers tend to value predominant classes (cases) and ignore the least frequent classes [ 24].

BMC Genomics

The third possibility, he said, and one that is least frequent, is that people can develop an allergic respiratory disease.

The New York Times

were least frequent.

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

"The hardest taps are done … mapped to the least frequent letters in the alphabet".

TechCrunch

Emotive mental processes were the least frequent mental processes in the discourse of the patients.

Functional Linguistics

On average, it is most frequent in Austria, followed by France, and least frequent in Sweden.

Comparative Migration Studies

The obstructive form (4 patients [12.9%]) was the least frequent form of IFT (Table 2).

Annals of Intensive Care

It only makes the least frequent transitions not optimized during the further stages.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Then, the scaffolds were sorted by the scaffold frequency from most to least frequent.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Verbal process is the least frequent process type at around 0.89 % (the clause grammar of saying).

Functional Linguistics

The least frequent mode was Listener, with 5 of the service providers referencing it the least often.

Journal of Aging Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "least frequent", ensure you have a clear basis for comparison. Specify what is being compared and the context in which it is least frequent.

Common error

Avoid using "least frequent" when you mean "not frequent at all." The phrase implies a comparison among several options, not the complete absence of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least frequent" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun to indicate that it occurs with the lowest frequency compared to other items in a set. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least frequent" is a versatile adjective phrase used to indicate the lowest occurrence rate among a set of items. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical structure is correct and the phrase is commonly used, especially within scientific and news-related contexts. When using "least frequent", ensure a clear comparison is established to highlight the item with the fewest instances. While suitable for formal and scientific writing, it's important to consider the nuance, as it always implies a comparison and is not simply a synonym for "rare". Remember to avoid using it when you simply mean "not frequent at all".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarest

Focuses on absolute scarcity, indicating the single instance with the lowest occurrence.

least common

A direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of commonality.

infrequent

A single-word adjective describing something not happening often.

scarce

Indicates limited availability or occurrence.

seldom seen

Emphasizes the rarity of observation or visibility.

rarely occurring

Highlights the low rate of occurrence.

fewest

Focuses on the minimal number or quantity.

minimal

Emphasizes the very low degree or amount.

at a minimum

Indicates the lowest possible level or extent.

hardly any

Indicates a very small quantity or number, close to zero.

FAQs

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

Use "least frequent" to compare the occurrence of multiple items or events, indicating which one happens the fewest times. For example, "Among these options, option C is the "least frequent" choice."

What alternatives can I use instead of "least frequent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "rarest", "least common", or "infrequent". Each alternative has slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "most infrequent" instead of "least frequent"?

While "most infrequent" might seem logical, it's not standard English. "Least frequent" is the conventional and clearer way to express the idea of the lowest occurrence.

What's the difference between "least frequent" and "rare"?

"Least frequent" implies a comparison within a set of items, identifying the one with the lowest occurrence. "Rare" simply indicates that something doesn't happen often, without necessarily comparing it to anything else.