or at worst

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "or at worst" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to present a less favorable outcome or scenario in a discussion or argument. Example: "The project will be completed by next week, or at worst, by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

European Journal of Neuroscience

The Economist

Cornell University

Harvard University

The New York Times

The Washington Post

The Guardian

Independent

TechCrunch

BBC

Science Magazine

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For this type of discrimination to take place, the sets of links between two HNCs and their overlap should be gradually weakened (or, at worst, not strengthened).

European Journal of Neuroscience

Unregistered holders face only a fine or, at worst, confiscation.

The Economist

The union's conduct, in other words, was negligent or, at worst, grossly negligent.

Cornell University

Indeed, the evidence before Congress suggested that most state infringement was innocent or at worst negligent.

Cornell University

In the past, industrial countries have tended to pursue countercyclical or, at worst, acyclical fiscal policy.

Harvard University

And they looked like the same person, or at worst, like identical twins.

The New York Times

Ads that pop up on your screen might seem useful, or at worst, a nuisance.

The New York Times

Yet in each of those years, stocks either rose in value or, at worst, were flat.

The New York Times

Tough childhoods, promiscuous adulthoods, serious illnesses yield fame, or wisdom, or at worst a battered serenity.

The New York Times - Books

Far from being mercenaries, they are simply realists — or, at worst, opportunists.

The Washington Post

Many protesters now call the two lending agencies potential friends or, at worst, ciphers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "or at worst" to clearly indicate the least desirable outcome in a range of possibilities. It helps set expectations and prepare for potential negative consequences.

Common error

While useful, excessive repetition of "or at worst" can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "failing that" or "in the worst-case scenario" for a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or at worst" functions as a conjunctional phrase introducing a less desirable alternative or outcome. It connects a primary statement with a secondary, less favorable possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "or at worst" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunctional phrase that introduces a less desirable outcome. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to set realistic expectations by acknowledging potential negative consequences. It is appropriate for a neutral register and is frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. For variety, consider using alternatives like "in the worst case" or "failing that". However, avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing to maintain a polished and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or in the worst case

This alternative directly replaces "at worst" with "in the worst case", maintaining the same meaning but using slightly different wording.

or in the worst-case scenario

Replaces "at worst" with the more formal "in the worst-case scenario", adding a level of technical or analytical precision.

or if the worst happens

This phrase introduces a conditional aspect, implying a sequence of events where the worst outcome is a possibility.

or as a worst-case outcome

A more descriptive alternative emphasizing that the result represents the least favorable possibility.

or failing that

This option suggests a fallback plan when the initial option is unsuccessful, similar to accepting a less desirable outcome.

or if all else fails

Similar to "or failing that", this suggests a final, often undesirable, option when other attempts have failed.

or as a last resort

This implies that the described outcome is the least preferred and only considered when all other options are exhausted.

or if the situation deteriorates

This presents a condition under which the less desirable outcome will occur, focusing on the declining state of affairs.

or if things go south

This is an informal way of saying "if things go wrong", suggesting a negative turn of events leading to the worst outcome.

at the very least

Expresses the minimum acceptable or expected outcome, focusing on establishing a lower bound.

FAQs

How can I use "or at worst" in a sentence?

The phrase "or at worst" is used to introduce a less desirable outcome than the one previously mentioned. For example: "The project should be completed by Friday, or "at worst", by Monday."

What are some alternatives to "or at worst"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in the worst case", "failing that", or "as a last resort", which can add variety to your writing.

Is it correct to say "or at worse" instead of "or at worst"?

No, the correct phrase is "or at worst". "Worse" is a comparative adjective, while "worst" is a superlative adjective, indicating the most unfavorable outcome.

What's the difference between "at best" and "or at worst"?

"At best" describes the most favorable outcome, while "or at worst" describes the least favorable. They are often used together to define a range of possible outcomes: "At best, we'll break even; "or at worst", we'll lose a small amount."