lowest threshold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lowest threshold" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the minimum level or point at which something can be accepted or tolerated. Example: The company has set its lowest threshold for customer complaints at three per month. Any more than that and they will take immediate action to address the issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That must be the very lowest threshold for a court's involvement.

The New York Times

Receptive fields supplied by the superior laryngeal nerve have the lowest threshold for initiating a swallow.

Nature

A colleague at Philips described him as having "the lowest threshold of boredom" of anyone he had ever met.

The Guardian

The second LED shed light evenly on the sensor but its intensity is too low even for the lowest threshold.

Cornell University

No Child Left Behind has focused attention on the lowest threshold of education, while funding for gifted programs has been slashed.

The New York Times

According to a study published in 1965 by the animal behaviorists John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller, the lowest "threshold of stimulation" belongs to the cocker spaniel.

The New Yorker

The Sensit had the lowest threshold diameter of bead to which it would respond followed closely by the Saltiphone.

Aeolian Research

Anonymous You are either the sweetest person in the world or have the lowest threshold for confrontation.

The New York Times

Boluses placed on the posterior tongue (glossopharyngeal innervation) trigger swallowing at a lower volume than on the anterior tongue (trigeminal innervation), with acid boluses having the lowest threshold.

Nature

Note that pairwise correlations between the independent variables were assessed, and none met the lowest threshold criteria for collinearity (r > 0.5) as described in Dormann et al.34.34

Nature

Quantum dots further confine the optical emission modes within a very narrow spectrum and give the lowest threshold current densities for lasing achieved to date in VCSELs.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing regulations or standards, use "lowest threshold" to clearly indicate the minimum requirement that must be met, ensuring there's no ambiguity about what is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "lowest threshold" when you're actually aiming for an optimal or desired outcome. The term refers to the bare minimum, not the goal to strive for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lowest threshold" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI examples show it's often used as an object or subject complement, specifying a minimum limit or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lowest threshold" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase signifying a minimum requirement or limit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While applicable in formal writing, ensuring clarity and avoiding confusion with desired outcomes is crucial. Related phrases such as "minimum requirement" and "bottom line" offer similar but context-dependent alternatives. Employing "lowest threshold" appropriately allows for precise communication regarding standards and expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

threshold of tolerance

This phrase emphasizes the limit beyond which something becomes unacceptable.

minimum requirement

This phrase focuses on the least acceptable standard that must be met.

absolute minimum

This phrase focuses on the smallest possible quantity or degree.

minimum acceptable level

This phrase highlights the idea of a level that is just good enough to be tolerated.

least permissible limit

This phrase highlights the strictest boundary that cannot be exceeded.

bottom line

This phrase emphasizes the essential minimum to be achieved, often in a business or financial context.

rock bottom

This phrase suggests the absolute lowest point, beyond which things cannot go any lower.

lower bound

This phrase is more mathematical and formal, referring to the smallest possible value in a range.

entry level

This phrase implies the starting point or the most basic requirement to enter a particular field or activity.

base level

This phrase refers to the fundamental or foundational level upon which something is built.

FAQs

How to use "lowest threshold" in a sentence?

You can use "lowest threshold" to describe the minimum level needed for something to occur or be acceptable. For example, "The "lowest threshold for pain" was recorded for the masseter muscles" or "The company set the "lowest threshold for profitability" at 5%."

What can I say instead of "lowest threshold"?

You can use alternatives like "minimum requirement", "minimum acceptable level", or "bottom line" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lowest threshold" and "highest threshold"?

"Lowest threshold" refers to the minimum point at which something becomes activated or acceptable, while "highest threshold" indicates the maximum point before a change or effect occurs. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum.

Is it appropriate to use "lowest threshold" in formal writing?

Yes, "lowest threshold" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific, technical, and business contexts where precise language is crucial. Its clear and unambiguous meaning makes it a reliable choice.