most disadvantageous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most disadvantageous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is highly unfavorable or detrimental. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the project was the most disadvantageous choice we could have made."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But rain often falls in the least desirable places at the most disadvantageous times.

The New Yorker

Where would it be most disadvantageous?   4.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The fuel cells that use hydrogen obtained by using coal and natural gas are determined as the most disadvantageous transformation technologies in respect to sustainability.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

"It's like a flank attack against these stores that leaves them in the most disadvantageous position possible".

Huffington Post

One pair for PDCD8 showed an opposite pattern of regulation with the control higher than IPF (note that we have used the most disadvantageous construction of pairs to obtain one failed pair).

Plosone

This suggests that the selection for more effective and more accurate translation acts primarily through avoidance of the most disadvantageous codon pairs and not through over-representation of the most suitable contexts.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Dawkins states (ref. 1, p. 352): "But most mutations are disadvantageous, if only because they are random and there are many more ways of getting worse than there are ways of getting better.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

This is disadvantageous because most mood disorders have a higher incidence in women versus men.

Plosone

Data analysis yielded an NI higher than 1, indicating the effect of purifying selection in removing disadvantageous mutations (most amino acid changes are deleterious).

Genome Biology and Evolution

On the other hand, ordered networks respond identically to very distinct input signals [ 8], which in most situations would be disadvantageous.

BMC Systems Biology

The presence of several genes, especially in P. mugo, showing higher nucleotide diversity at synonymous sites compared to the other site categories is an indication of purifying selection (e.g., Palmé et al. 2009), in accordance with the expectation that in coding regions, most mutations are probably disadvantageous.

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most disadvantageous", ensure the context clearly defines what or whom is being disadvantaged. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "most disadvantageous" when a milder term like "unfavorable" or "less beneficial" would suffice. The phrase implies a significantly negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most disadvantageous" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the highest degree of unfavorableness or detriment. Ludwig provides examples where it describes positions, technologies and options, showing its adjective function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most disadvantageous" is a grammatically correct and usable superlative adjective phrase employed to denote the highest degree of unfavorableness or detriment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates a significantly negative impact. While its usage is not extremely common, it finds frequent application in formal writing, particularly within scientific, news and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being disadvantaged, and be mindful of the strong negative connotation it carries. Alternatives such as "most unfavorable" or "least advantageous" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most unfavorable

Replaces "disadvantageous" with "unfavorable", maintaining a similar level of formality and negative connotation.

most unfavorable

Replace "disadvantageous" with its synonym.

least advantageous

Uses the opposite adjective ("advantageous") with "least" to express the same idea.

most detrimental

Substitutes "disadvantageous" with "detrimental", which emphasizes the harmful aspect.

most counterproductive

Replaces "disadvantageous" with "counterproductive", highlighting the inefficiency or hindrance caused.

most inexpedient

Uses "inexpedient" instead of "disadvantageous", suggesting that the action is not practical or suitable for achieving a goal.

most prejudicial

Replaces "disadvantageous" with "prejudicial", focusing on the aspect of causing harm or damage.

the worst possible

This phrase offers a more direct and impactful way to convey the extreme negativity associated with "most disadvantageous", emphasizing the severity of the situation.

the least helpful

This alternative focuses on the lack of assistance or benefit, highlighting the unhelpful nature of the situation described by "most disadvantageous".

the most unpromising

This emphasizes the lack of positive future prospects associated with the situation, suggesting a bleak outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "most disadvantageous" in a sentence?

You can use "most disadvantageous" to describe a situation, decision, or condition that is highly unfavorable. For example, "Cutting funding was the "most disadvantageous" choice we could have made".

What are some alternatives to "most disadvantageous"?

Alternatives include "most unfavorable", "least advantageous", and "most detrimental", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "most disadvantageous"?

Use "most disadvantageous" when you want to emphasize the extremely negative or detrimental aspect of something. It's suitable when something presents a significant setback or harm.

Is "most disadvantageous" a formal or informal phrase?

"Most disadvantageous" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more frequently found in formal writing and speech due to its precise and somewhat technical tone.