most slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

'most slowly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the degree to which an action is completed or done, for example: "The sun set most slowly, painting the sky in a wash of golden and orange hues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But incomes for lower-end families grew the most slowly.

The New York Times

Cases have risen most slowly in the rich, developed countries.

The Guardian

Overall, India's fertility rate is falling, but among Muslims it is dropping most slowly.

The Economist

She knows where the traffic lights change most slowly, giving her most time to beg from idling cars.

The Economist

One is a new way of analyzing the human genome so as to identify its most slowly evolving genes.

The New York Times - Science

But with unemployment rates still well above 5percentt, incomes grew most slowly for low-income families.

The New York Times

Both men believed that a "mixed constitution"—with balance and separation of powers was the best form of government, the form that would decline the most slowly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If the flow rate of the water is slowly increased, the most slowly sinking particles will be swept upward with the fluid flow and removed from the tube.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When overseeing the building of a new hospital in Baghdad, al-Razi hung raw meat around the city and broke ground where the meat putrefied most slowly.

Independent

But of all the reforms that Mr. Putin has proposed for Russian institutions, those for the military have progressed the most slowly.

The New York Times

Most slowly depreciated their currencies, rather than adopt the floating currencies advocated today (or the fixed-currency regime used by Argentina).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most slowly" to emphasize that something progresses or changes at a rate slower than anything else being compared. This provides a clear distinction and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid substituting "slowest" for "most slowly" when describing an action or process. "Slowest" is an adjective, while "most slowly" is an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, describing how the action is performed. For example, say "The plant grew most slowly in the shade," not "The plant grew slowest in the shade."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most slowly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which an action is carried out with minimal speed. It qualifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to express the comparative lowest rate of progression or change. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most slowly" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the lowest rate of speed in a comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, it serves to highlight the gradual or delayed nature of an action or process. To ensure clarity, avoid confusing it with the adjective "slowest" and remember to use it when comparing three or more entities. Alternatives such as "at the slowest pace" or "least rapidly" can be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least rapidly

This is a direct synonym replacement, maintaining the adverbial form but using a different adverb.

at the slowest pace

This alternative shifts the focus from the manner of action to the rate itself, using a noun-based construction.

in the most unhurried manner

This option highlights the lack of rushing or pressure in how something is done.

with the least haste

This option emphasizes the absence of speed or urgency in completing a task.

at a crawling speed

This expression illustrates the extremely low speed of a movement or development.

at a snail's pace

This is an idiomatic expression implying extremely slow progress.

taking the longest time

This alternative focuses on the duration required for the action, rather than the speed.

with minimal acceleration

This emphasizes the lack of increase in speed over time.

with the greatest deliberation

This phrase suggests a slow pace due to careful and thoughtful consideration.

at the tail end

This idiom implies a delay or being behind others in a process.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "most slowly" in a sentence?

Use "most slowly" to describe the manner in which an action is performed at the lowest rate, emphasizing the gradual or delayed nature of the action. For example: "Of all the runners, he finished the "race most slowly"".

What are some alternatives to using "most slowly" in writing?

Alternatives include phrases like "at the slowest pace", "least rapidly", or "with minimal acceleration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slowest" instead of "most slowly"?

While "slowest" is a valid adjective, it can't always replace "most slowly", which is an adverbial phrase. "Slowest" describes a noun, while "most slowly" describes how an action is performed. So, it depends on the context.

When should I use "most slowly" rather than "more slowly"?

Use "most slowly" when comparing three or more items or actions, indicating the one with the lowest rate. "More slowly" is used for comparing only two items or actions. For example: "Among all the options, this one developed "most slowly"."