least simple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least simple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the simplicity of multiple items or concepts, indicating that one is the most complex or difficult among them. Example: "Of all the solutions we considered, the least simple option turned out to be the most effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Implementations, at least simple ones like this, are largely about book-keeping: the design matrix and the statistical tests should be constructed in a simple and intuitive way.

Harvard University

The technology, or at least simple applications of it, may be used in commercial products within a couple of years, at least one of the researchers says.

The New York Times - Science

That would be low enough to cut air resistance drastically, but high enough to keep the pneumatics simple or at least simple compared with maintaining a hard vacuum.

The Economist

The speech started coming back through other songs familiar to us and was the bridge to her return to at least simple speech.

Forbes

Covisint says that 800 of the 8,000 car suppliers have registered to use the exchange, and many will need at least simple on-ramps.

Forbes

But we wanted to support WSGI which is the Python web serving standard to, so people could deploy at least simple apps on App Engine.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Goosing, to take one example, might seem to be the very simplest, or at least simple-minded, of acts.

The New York Times - Magazine

But with Ringer, the process is at least simpler than it is with other apps.

The New York Times - Tech

Of these, 511/543 (94%) were detected by at least one SIMPLE read, with 502/543 (92%) detected by more than three independent SIMPLE events (reads).

BMC Genomics

That part, at least is simple.

The New York Times

The ripper software, at least, is simple.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "least simple" to subtly highlight that a specific option or concept still retains some level of simplicity, even if it's the most complex among those being considered.

Common error

Avoid using "least simple" when there are no other options or alternatives being considered. The phrase implies a comparison, so it's incorrect to use it when describing a single, isolated entity. Use other expressions, such as "complex", instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least simple" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to modify a noun by indicating its position on a spectrum of complexity, suggesting it is the most intricate among a set of options. This is in line with examples shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least simple" serves as a nuanced way to describe the most complex option among a group, while potentially acknowledging that it still retains some level of simplicity. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly found in news, science, and academic contexts. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that a comparison is implied, avoiding its use when describing a single entity. Alternatives like "most complex" or "most complicated" can be used to emphasize the high level of intricacy, depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most complex

Direct opposite, emphasizing the higher level of complexity.

most complicated

Similar to "most complex", but often implies intricate details.

not the easiest

Focuses on the difficulty rather than direct complexity.

more intricate

Highlights the detailed and elaborate nature.

hardest to grasp

Emphasizes the challenge in understanding.

most elaborate

Focuses on the extensive and detailed nature.

least straightforward

Highlights the indirectness or convoluted nature.

most involved

Implies complexity through numerous elements or steps.

more challenging

Focuses on the level of difficulty posed.

least basic

Emphasizes a departure from fundamental or elementary aspects.

FAQs

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

You can use "least simple" to describe something that is the most complex option among several, such as, "Of all the proposed solutions, the "least simple" option turned out to be the most effective".

What are some alternatives to using "least simple"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "most complex", "most complicated", or "not the easiest".

Is it correct to say "least simple"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "least simple". It's used to indicate that something is the most complex among a group of options.

What is the difference between "least simple" and "most complex"?

While similar, "least simple" might subtly imply that even the most complex option retains some level of simplicity, whereas "most complex" directly emphasizes a high degree of intricacy.