least needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least needed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that is not required or necessary, but may still be present. Example: "The dinner party was a success, but the extravagant decorations were the least needed element."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We all thought the beard certainly at least needed trimming," O'Neill said, smiling.

The Guardian - Sport

The royal scenes, at least, needed no translation, with the commentator noting: "Ah oui.

The Guardian - Sport

In a way, Pope loved - or at least needed - what he mocked.

The Guardian - Books

All of those pitchers, at least, needed five innings or more to do it.

The New York Times

As baby-boomer executives age, they can still feel groovy, or at least needed, in such jobs.

The New York Times

His signature achievement is a $1.5 trillion tax cut that provided stimulus when, arguably, it was least needed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This at least needs no explanation.

Independent

"And the people who least need to stick together do".

The New York Times

This story, for me at least, needs time.

The New York Times - Sports

Each piles most of the benefits on the families that least need help.

The New York Times

"This story, for me at least, needs time," he wrote in November.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "least needed" to concisely express that something is the lowest priority or importance among a group of items. This is particularly effective in situations where resources are limited or prioritization is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "least needed" in sentences where simpler terms like "unnecessary" or "unimportant" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least needed" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is of minimal necessity or importance. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it modifying nouns in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least needed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys minimal necessity or importance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. Predominantly found in news articles, scientific publications, and business communications, it serves to prioritize items or actions, assigning them a low-priority status. While "least needed" is a versatile phrase, simpler alternatives like "unnecessary" or "dispensable" may be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns and clearly indicating their lower significance within a given context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least essential

Directly contrasts with what is most important.

minimally required

Emphasizes the absolute minimum level of requirement.

scarcely necessary

Highlights the marginal necessity of something.

dispensable

Highlights the characteristic of being unnecessary.

hardly essential

Focuses on the non-essential nature of the subject.

superfluous

Emphasizes the excessive or unnecessary nature.

barely requisite

Stresses the just-sufficient level of requirement.

not vital

Indicates the absence of crucial importance.

extraneous

Focuses on the irrelevance or non-essential aspect.

unimportant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "least needed" to indicate something that is not essential or has the lowest priority. For example, "Among all the features, the extra customization options were the "least needed"."

What is a good alternative to "least needed"?

Alternatives to "least needed" include "unnecessary", "dispensable", or "not essential" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the least needed" or "least needed"?

Both forms are generally acceptable, but "least needed" is more concise and often preferred. Adding "the" can sometimes provide additional emphasis, but it's usually unnecessary.

What's the difference between "least needed" and "most needed"?

"Least needed" refers to something with the lowest priority or requirement, while "most needed" refers to something with the highest priority or requirement. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of a spectrum of necessity.