least prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "least prevalent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that occurs less frequently than other items or occurrences in a group or collection. For example, "Among the four examined options, the leas prevailing one was the least favorite of the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Salmonella spp. were least prevalent with 22 (73.3%) samples that indicated positive prevalence of the bacteria (Table 2).

International Journal of Food Contamination

The prevalence of smoking, on the other hand, was least prevalent in British Columbia (8.5%) and Ontario (8.8%).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

This is because those areas where overcrowding is most common - such as London - also happen to the areas where under-occupying is least prevalent.

The Guardian

There is a New York idiom, if not peculiar to the city then at least prevalent in it, that seems to capture this feeling.

The New Yorker

Perceived racial harassment, such as offensive gestures, comments or threats, was highest in Finland (63%) and Luxembourg (52%) and least prevalent in the UK (21%) and Malta (20%).

The Guardian

The most and least prevalent fat-related behaviors also differed by each ethnic group, showing that different behaviors were more and less easily implemented by each ethnic group.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

The histology consists of three types: benign, malignant, and the least prevalent, borderline.

Surgical Case Reports

Conversely, direct provision of access to finance is the least prevalent service offered, with only 30percentt of the projects reviewed providing it.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The GNR were the most prevalent types of microorganisms for both the intended and unintended suusa while the YM were the least prevalent for both.

International Journal of Food Contamination

Evidence for that can be seen in the regional breakdown: Cremation is least prevalent in the so-called "Bible belt" states of the South-East.

BBC

The report says Africa and Asia face the biggest challenges in eradicating slavery, while the practice is least prevalent in Europe.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the prevalence of multiple items, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being compared. For example, "Among the surveyed health conditions, X was the "least prevalent"".

Common error

Avoid using "least prevalent" when referring to a single item in isolation. The phrase implies a comparison between multiple items; ensure there is a basis for comparison to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least prevalent" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it has the lowest occurrence or frequency compared to other items in a set. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least prevalent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that indicates the lowest frequency or occurrence of something in comparison to others. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal contexts, it serves to provide precise statistical or comparative information. Alternatives such as "rarest" or "least frequent" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When using "least prevalent", ensure you are comparing multiple items and clearly define the scope of your comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least frequent

Focuses on the infrequency of occurrence, a direct synonym.

least often

Focuses on the infrequency of an action or event.

rarest

Emphasizes absolute infrequency, implying an extreme scarcity.

fewest

Indicates the lowest quantity or count compared to others.

most uncommon

Highlights the lack of commonality, suggesting a lower frequency than average.

scarce

Indicates limited availability or presence.

lowest incidence of

Emphasizes the reduced rate at which something occurs, especially in the context of events or cases.

smallest number of

Quantifies the scarcity in terms of numerical presence.

atypical

Implies that something deviates from the norm and thus is not commonly seen.

hardest to find

Highlights the difficulty in locating or encountering something due to its rarity.

FAQs

How to use "least prevalent" in a sentence?

You can use "least prevalent" to describe something that occurs less frequently than others in a group. For example, "Among the options, the blue car was the "least prevalent"".

What can I say instead of "least prevalent"?

Alternatives include "rarest", "most uncommon", or "least frequent", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "least prevalent" or "less prevalent"?

"Least prevalent" indicates the absolute lowest frequency among multiple options, while "less prevalent" simply means something is not as common as something else. The choice depends on whether you are identifying the single rarest item or comparing two items.

What's the difference between "least prevalent" and "uncommon"?

"Uncommon" describes something that is not frequently seen or encountered, while "least prevalent" compares multiple items and identifies the one with the lowest occurrence. Therefore, "least prevalent" is always used in comparative contexts, while "uncommon" can describe a single entity without direct comparison.