least impact

USAGE SUMMARY

"least impact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action, situation, or event that has minimal or few consequences. For example: "The company decided to utilize a new protocol of customer service, with the least impact on existing operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But this solution may well prove to have the least impact on the fewest students".

The New York Times

"Trophy hunting is the best return on investment [in elephant protection] with the least impact".

The Guardian

So this is the time when our work has the least impact on passengers overall.

The Guardian

"Their priority was to get to a place which would take the least impact.

The New York Times

Interestingly, the piece that makes the least impact is the one that pays most recognisable homage to Bausch.

The Guardian

Ramsey proposed that the optimal tax system would have the least impact on long-term human behavior.

The New Yorker

The president has made it clear that he will go when he has the least impact on the rescue effort".

The New York Times

On gay rights... A. My attitude on gay rights or any of those other issues, I believe the government should have as least impact as impossible.

The New York Times

Senior Greek officials have been locked in meetings searching for savings that will have the least impact on austerity-weary Greeks.

The Economist

As even the right-wing Washington Times admitted, remaining entrenched in climate science denial has prevented the Republican Party from becoming involved in discussions about the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the least impact on the economy.

The Guardian

On the other hand, "when people see a rule, they seem to look for ways to comply that will have the least impact on what they're already doing," Ms. Stymiest said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for objectivity, use "least impact" to describe actions or policies that are designed to minimize disruption or negative outcomes. For instance, "The company chose the solution with the "least impact" on employee workflow."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "least impact" excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "smallest effect" may sound more natural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least impact" functions primarily as a modifier to describe an action, decision, or policy that seeks to minimize adverse effects or consequences. It suggests a prioritization of actions that cause the smallest disruption or harm, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least impact" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes something designed to minimize negative consequences. It is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, scientific literature, and formal business communication. When writing, it is important to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings for a more natural tone. The phrase indicates a prioritization of actions that cause the smallest disruption or harm and aims to convey the intention to minimize negative effects, which is why it is generally considered to have a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lowest effect

Synonymous with "least impact", but uses the word "effect" instead.

minimal effect

Replaces "impact" with "effect", emphasizing a reduced result or consequence.

slightest effect

Suggests that the result or consequence is barely noticeable.

smallest consequence

Substitutes "impact" with "consequence", highlighting the minimal outcome of an action or event.

limited influence

Similar to "negligible influence", suggesting a restricted or small amount of power or effect.

negligible influence

Replaces "impact" with "influence", suggesting a very small or insignificant effect.

trivial consequence

Highlights the unimportance of the consequence.

minimized repercussions

Focuses on reducing the negative consequences or effects of something.

weakest repercussions

Highlights that the consequences are the weakest in comparison to other options.

reduced significance

Emphasizes the decreased importance or relevance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "least impact" to describe something that has the smallest or fewest consequences. For example, "The goal is to find a solution with the "least impact" on the environment."

What are some alternatives to "least impact"?

Some alternatives to "least impact" include "minimal effect", "smallest consequence", or "negligible influence" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "least impact"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Least" is used to indicate the minimum degree of "impact", making it a valid construction.

Which is the correct: "least impact on" or "least impact to"?

"Least impact on" is generally preferred and more common. While "least impact to" isn't incorrect, "on" is usually the better choice. You can also use "minimal impact upon".