least opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

"least opportunity" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is used to express the idea that something happens as soon as possible or the lowest degree of opportunity. Example: We need to take advantage of the least opportunity to improve our situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He used to beat her at the least opportunity.

The Guardian - Music

Without a broad, uncompromising approach to improve public schools everywhere for all students, those who need the most help will end up, as usual, with the least opportunity.

The New York Times

Moore has lived his whole life in West Baltimore, one of the most violent neighborhoods in the country with some of the least opportunity for upward mobility.

The Guardian

I wanted to hear from those very people who are most talked about, either with pity or with loathing, but who are given the least opportunity to speak themselves.

The Guardian

But once a choice has been made, the concern shifts from the parents' rights to the welfare of the baby, who, after all, had the least opportunity for decision-making.

The New York Times

John Lukacs, the Hungarian-American historian, has spent a lifetime arguing that nationalism — not socialism, or even liberalism — is the core ideology of modernity, and that the lesson of history is that nationalism will assert itself, like an unquenchable microbe, anytime it has the least opportunity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In his hands the means to the End become wonders to behold, or at least opportunities for clever design.

The New York Times - Books

Despite success setting up a school in the capital, Rakshand knew that the places in Bangladesh with the least opportunities for children were rural areas.

The Guardian

Historically, business executives, among all company members, have the least opportunities to interact with computers.

Computers & Education

"Young women and young people of color who are especially creative, they often get the least opportunities to develop their innate potential.

TechCrunch

There are solutions to most of the challenges we face, or at least opportunities to make things better.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "least opportunity" to emphasize the minimal availability of a chance or a resource, highlighting scarcity or disadvantage. This can effectively underscore a point about inequality or difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "least opportunity" when you mean "earliest opportunity". The former emphasizes scarcity, while the latter emphasizes timing. For example, don't say "Contact us at the "least opportunity"" when you mean "Contact us at your earliest convenience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, where "least" modifies the noun "opportunity". As Ludwig AI indicates, it expresses the idea of the lowest degree of available chance or resources. The examples show its use in describing situations of disadvantage or scarcity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least opportunity" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe minimal chances or resources, mostly in news and media, science and formal/business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to convey a sense of scarcity or disadvantage. To enhance clarity, be mindful to avoid using it when referring to timing, such as with the phrase "earliest opportunity". By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "least opportunity" to highlight inequality and advocate for positive change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least possibility

Focuses on the minimum degree of potential rather than the availability of a chance.

smallest opportunity

Highlights the size or scope of the chance, emphasizing its limited nature.

least occasion

Emphasizes the rarity of the event or situation, rather than the possibility itself.

slightest opportunity

Indicates a very small or minimal chance, similar to "least opportunity".

least chance

A more direct synonym focusing on the probability of something happening.

earliest opportunity

Shifts the focus to timing, referring to the first available chance, which is different from the minimal nature of the chance.

best opportunity

Represents the most favorable chance, which is opposite to the meaning of "least opportunity".

least prospects

Highlights the lack of positive outlook or potential for success.

least options

Focuses on the limited number of choices available.

less opportunity

Implies a reduced amount of chance, but not necessarily the absolute minimum.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "least opportunity" in a sentence?

You can use "least opportunity" to describe situations where someone has minimal chances for success or advancement, such as, "The program aims to support those with the "least opportunity" for upward mobility".

What are some alternatives to saying "least opportunity"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "least possibility", "smallest opportunity", or "slightest opportunity".

Is it grammatically correct to say "least opportunity"?

Yes, "least opportunity" is grammatically correct. The word "least" is used as a superlative adjective modifying the noun "opportunity", correctly indicating the minimum amount or degree.

What is the difference between "least opportunity" and "less opportunity"?

"Least opportunity" refers to the absolute minimum chance or availability, whereas "less opportunity" simply indicates a reduced amount of chance compared to something else. "Least" is superlative, while "less" is comparative.