of least interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of least interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered to be the least engaging or relevant among a group of topics or items. Example: "Among all the subjects discussed in the meeting, the budget report was of least interest to the attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She is also the family member of least interest to police and tax investigators.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of least interest to South African companies are francophone West African nations like Senegal and Gabon, where French and Belgian companies already have a strong foothold.

The New York Times

Traits for which less than 20 QTLs were detected, of least interest for the meta-QTL analysis, are not included in the figure for reasons of space.

Rice

The most highly connected metabolites are commodity or currency compounds such as H2O and NADH, but generally (depending on the context) they are of least interest in terms of function.

BMC Systems Biology

48 An analysis of the inter-professional relationships in healthcare, using power analysis, 49 social role theory or the principle of least interest, 8shows that expectations about the relationship are different and depend on the level of hierarchy: being high in the hierarchy means being more satisfied with the relationship than subordinates.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These results clearly indicate that traditional knowledge is restricted to aged people in these regions due to least interest of younger generation.

BioMed Research International

There was a nod of at least interest, if not assent, when the mention of emerging markets came up.

Forbes

Policy seems to be the part of the job that least interests him.

TechCrunch

Given all the hand wringing about the dire state of contemporary ballet, it is good to be reminded that new work is being made all the time and that much of it is of at least some interest.

The New York Times - Arts

"I thought it would be of at least historical interest to restore some of the lost patents to the P.T.O.

The New York Times

But it seems unlikely that either could ever have been of the least dance interest.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of least interest", ensure the context clearly establishes a comparison to other items or topics. This helps to highlight the relative lack of importance or engagement with the specific subject.

Common error

Avoid using "of least interest" when describing something that is completely unimportant. This phrase is most effective when ranking items or topics by their level of relevance or engagement, not to dismiss something entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of least interest" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a reduced level of importance, relevance, or engagement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and syntactic role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of least interest" is a grammatically sound and relatively infrequent prepositional phrase used to denote a subject's reduced importance or engagement in comparison to others. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various sources. While suitable for formal and neutral registers, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring that the comparative context is clear and that the phrase doesn't inadvertently convey disrespect. Semantically related alternatives include "of minimal concern" and "of minor importance", which can offer subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of minimal concern

Emphasizes reduced worry or anxiety associated with the subject.

of minor importance

Highlights the low level of significance or consequence.

of little relevance

Indicates a lack of connection or pertinence to the matter at hand.

of reduced significance

Suggests a decline in the level of importance or impact.

of marginal interest

Implies a slight or almost negligible level of engagement.

of secondary consideration

Positions the subject as lower in priority compared to other factors.

of subordinate importance

Denotes a lower hierarchical status in terms of value or necessity.

of less importance

A general term denoting that something is not as important as something else.

of slight concern

Highlights how little something causes worry or anxiety.

hardly matters

Indicates a low level of influence or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "of least interest" in a sentence?

You can use "of least interest" to indicate the subject that attracts the smallest amount of attention or concern among several options. For example, "Among the proposed solutions, this one is of least interest."

What are some alternatives to "of least interest"?

Alternatives include "of minimal concern", "of minor importance", or "of little relevance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "of least interest" in formal writing?

Yes, "of least interest" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the tone remains objective and avoid using it in a way that could be perceived as dismissive or disrespectful.

What's the difference between "of least interest" and "uninteresting"?

"Of least interest" implies a comparison among multiple options, highlighting which one is the least engaging. "Uninteresting" simply means not engaging or exciting, without necessarily involving a comparison.