lowest three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lowest three" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the three items, values, or entities that are the least in a particular context, such as rankings or measurements. Example: "In the recent survey, the lowest three scores were significantly below the average."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Who were the lowest three in revenue?

The New York Times - Sports

The lowest three lines were all the same size.

The New Yorker

Physical wealth made the largest contribution to total wealth for the lowest three deciles in 2010/12.

The Guardian

The lowest three tiers are made of alternating red and buff sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The clubs play in the lowest three of five leagues and tend to include multiple teams, from semiprofessional teams for adults to academic teams for children.

The New York Times

In the year to date, cars in the lowest three emissions brackets (out of 13) made up 28% of all new cars, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The Economist

I think we're in the lowest three.

BBC

(E) Exempt the lowest three income groups, tax the upper two groups evenly.

SERIEs

(G) Exempt the lowest three income groups, tax the upper two groups proportionally [G] (Table 9).

SERIEs

(F) Exempt the lowest three income groups, tax the upper two groups evenly.

SERIEs

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The lowest three-month reading in 2001 was negative 1.4, indicating that this downturn is worse than that one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lowest three", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for what constitutes 'low,' whether it's quantity, score, or rank.

Common error

Avoid using "lowest three" without specifying what is being measured. Always provide context (e.g., "the lowest three scores", "the lowest three ranks") to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lowest three" functions as a quantifying adjective modifying a noun (e.g., scores, ranks, values). It identifies a specific subset from a larger group, indicating the three items that occupy the bottom positions according to a defined criterion. Ludwig confirms this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lowest three" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the bottom three entities in a given set, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used across diverse fields, prominently in science, news, and business contexts, to pinpoint specific entities for further scrutiny or comparison. While alternatives like "bottom three" and "least three" exist, "lowest three" remains a versatile and readily understood choice. Remember to clarify the measurement criteria to avoid ambiguity. The provided examples showcase its wide applicability, reinforcing its status as a valuable tool in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bottom three

Directly replaces "lowest" with "bottom", a common synonym indicating the lower end of a scale.

least three

Substitutes "lowest" with "least", emphasizing a minimal quantity or degree.

three lowest

Changes the word order, slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

the three at the bottom

Rephrases using "at the bottom" to specify position in a ranking or list.

worst three

Implies a negative evaluation of the three items, suggesting they are the least desirable.

three poorest

Focuses specifically on a lack of resources or financial status within the lowest segment.

three smallest

Highlights the size or magnitude as the defining factor for being in the lower tier.

three weakest

Suggests a lack of strength or performance relative to others in the group.

three underperforming

Specifically describes items or entities that are not meeting expectations.

three trailing

Emphasizes that these three are behind others in a competitive context.

FAQs

How to use "lowest three" in a sentence?

The phrase "lowest three" is used to refer to the three items, values, or entities that rank at the bottom of a list or scale. For example: "The "lowest three" scores were significantly below average."

What can I say instead of "lowest three"?

You can use alternatives like "bottom three", "least three", or "the "three lowest"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lowest three" or "three lowest"?

Both ""lowest three"" and ""three lowest"" are grammatically correct, but ""lowest three"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrasing.

What's the difference between "lowest three" and "worst three"?

"Lowest three" simply indicates the bottom three items on a scale, while "worst three" implies a negative judgment about those items. The choice depends on whether you're describing rank or quality.