least of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the smallest or least significant group within a larger set, often in a comparative context. Example: "Among all the challenges we face, the financial issues are the least of them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-- is the least of them.

The New York Times - Books

Tenure is the least of them.

The New York Times

Closing it up without spaces is the least of them.

The Economist

Not the least of them was Henri Chamberlin, a.k.a.a

The New York Times - Books

Not the least of them is the color of the sky, the color of hope.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tipping is affected by an infinite number of variables, not the least of them personal affinity.

The New York Times

"We have so many other problems here — the Maidan is the least of them," she said.

The New Yorker

That the three sorts of Hawaiian goose were close relatives was the least of them.

The Economist

Many questions emerge from the case, not least of them: Was his conviction justified?

The New York Times - Books

And Trump won for many reasons, not the least of them his political talents.

The Washington Post

Not the least of them is the theater itself, one of those cavernous former movie houses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "least of them" to downplay a specific issue when discussing multiple problems or reasons, subtly indicating its lower significance. This approach adds nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "least of them" when only two options are present; a simpler comparative adjective or adverb is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "X is the least of them", when only X and Y are present, use "X is less important".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least of them" functions as a modifier within a sentence, typically serving to qualify a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something is of minimal importance, significance, or quantity when compared to other elements in a group. Ludwig's examples show it in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "least of them" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is of minimal importance relative to other items. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and while versatile, it’s best to avoid overusing it in simple comparisons, and it’s recommended to use it when discussing multiple issues to emphasize relative unimportance. Related phrases like "smallest of all" and "most insignificant" offer alternatives for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smallest of all

Focuses on the size or quantity aspect, implying the smallest in a set.

most insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

least consequential

Emphasizes the lack of significant impact or outcome.

minor compared to these

Highlights the relative unimportance in comparison to other items.

of minimal importance

Stresses the low level of importance or relevance.

secondary to these

Highlights the lower priority compared to other items.

pales in comparison

Indicates that something is much less significant when compared to something else.

not a major concern

Directly states that something is not a significant issue.

the slightest

Highlights the minimal degree or amount of something.

the last thing to consider

Indicates low priority or order of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "least of them" in a sentence?

The phrase "least of them" is used to indicate something is the smallest, weakest, or least important in a group. For example, "Among all the problems, that one is the "least of them"".

What is a synonym for "least of them"?

Alternatives to "least of them" include "smallest of all", "most insignificant", or "of minimal importance". The best choice depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "least of them"?

It is appropriate when you are discussing several items or issues and want to emphasize that one is less significant than the others. It's useful in comparative contexts. However, if you have only two items for comparison, you should use simpler terms such as "less significant".

What is the difference between "least of them" and "not the least of them"?

"Least of them" implies something is the smallest or least important, while "not the least of them" means something is also important, or even surprisingly important. For example, "His intelligence was "not the least of them"" suggests it was a notable quality.