least require

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least require" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misphrasing, as "least" and "require" do not typically work together in this context. Example: "You will at least require a basic understanding of the subject to proceed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Real estate titles and deeds at least require a name.

The New York Times - Arts

It should at least require the city to continue the subsidies until the case ends.

The New York Times

This results in a multitude of sentences that, to an American reader at least, require patient scrutiny.

The New York Times - Books

The N.H.T.S.A. should at least require carmakers to stop bundling crucial safety features, including electronic stabilization systems, into luxury packages with items like heated leather seats.

The New York Times

The question is whether they at least require some reassurance that the pol under scrutiny won't wind up being really weird forever.

The New York Times

Mr Becker said that he didn't fight the amendments, telling the Arstehnica website that he wanted "the Bill to pass to at least require warrants".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

This is the least required of Van Gaal, though.

The Guardian - Sport

To be fair, New York at least requires lobbyists to register.

The New York Times

A robust and fair humanitarian response is the very least required.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, changing a state law at least requires the votes of 212 lawmakers and the governor.

The New York Times

A lot of it is out of date, idiosyncratic, incompatible, and, at the very least, requires cleaning up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, rephrase "least require" to use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "minimally require" or "at a minimum need".

Common error

Avoid directly combining "least" with "require" as it often results in grammatically awkward sentences. Instead, consider restructuring your sentence to clarify the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least require" functions as a modifier and verb combination attempting to express a minimum condition or necessity. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically incorrect, suggesting the need for rephrasing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "least require" appears in numerous sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It aims to convey a minimum level of necessity, but should be replaced with alternatives such as "minimally require" or "at a minimum need" for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Its presence across news, scientific, and business sources suggests a neutral register, but its grammatical issues make it less suitable for formal writing. Remember to rephrase for correctness and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimally require

Emphasizes the minimum level of necessity.

at a minimum need

Specifies the lowest acceptable level of requirement.

require at a minimum

Reorders the phrase for a different emphasis.

demand as a bare minimum

Highlights the lowest acceptable standard.

at the very least necessitate

Stresses the absolute minimum necessity.

must at least have

Focuses on the essential possession or condition.

necessitate at the lowest level

Highlights the lowest degree of necessity.

require the bare minimum of

Emphasizes the smallest amount needed.

at the base level demand

Stresses the foundational requirement.

the minimum acceptable requires

Highlights the lowest acceptable standard for requirements.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "least require"?

You can use alternatives like "minimally require", "at a minimum need", or "require at a minimum depending on the context.

Is "least require" grammatically correct?

No, "least require" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use phrases like "minimally require" or "at a minimum need".

How can I use "at a minimum need" in a sentence instead of "least require"?

Instead of saying "This will least require some effort", you can say "This will at a minimum need some effort".

What's the difference between "least require" and "minimally require"?

"Least require" is not grammatically correct. "Minimally require" is a grammatically sound alternative that conveys the idea of the smallest acceptable level of requirement.