the least favored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the least favored' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase in a sentence to indicate something that has the lowest amount of preference or favor among a group of people, objects, or ideas. For example: "Of the five films we watched, 'The Life of Pi' was the least favored among the group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Although serious problems affect the poor in this country, not much is ever done to develop policies that lead to significant improvement in health care coverage, education, drug rehabilitation and the evils affecting the least favored among us.

The New York Times

The perceptive and desiderative types are similar in terms of number, while the emotive is the least favored in the students' writing.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Although the average U.S. equity fund (+3.1%) has only slightly underperformed the average global equity fund (+3.7%) and trounced the average bond fund (-1.7%) in May and June, U.S. equity funds are the least favored of the three major fund categories.

Forbes

Then, using a Digg-style voting system, participating members can push the ideas up or down, allowing consensus to send the most-preferred agenda items to the top, and the least favored to the bottom.

Huffington Post

Our observations are in agreement with the amino acid α-helix propensity scale proposed by Pace and Scholtz (1998): EKRQ are more favored in a helix whereas PG are the least favored.

Genome Biology and Evolution

For substrate 1, dCTP was the second most efficient insertion event, and dCTP was the least favored event with substrate 2. Single-turnover experiments were performed, but incorporation of both dCTP and dATP was strongly inhibited in the presteady state.

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The low fares are good only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the days least favored by travelers, are non-refundable and must be purchased seven days in advance.

The New York Times

"It was the sleepiest, most remote, least favored of the U.S.S.R.'s republics".

The New Yorker

Thus, California pistachio is most preferred, followed by the Chinese alternative, and the Turkish pistachio is least favored.

Agricultural and Food Economics

The whole environment behind what went into the production of the game is what I least favored.

Wikipedia

But February, least favored by the gods, was in need of a special saint.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider adding specific criteria that define 'favor'. This can help in differentiating between items that are objectively 'least favored' versus those that are simply less popular.

Common error

Avoid using "the least favored" when you mean 'the fewest'. "Least" refers to degree or preference, not quantity. Use 'fewest' when discussing countable items. For example, use 'the fewest resources' not "the least favored resources" if you're referring to quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the least favored" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as an adjective preceding a noun. It modifies the noun by indicating that it is the item or entity that receives the least amount of preference, support, or advantage compared to others. Ludwig provides numerous examples confirming its role in describing relative disfavor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the least favored" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes something receiving the least preference or support. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. It appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, indicating its broad applicability and neutral register. When using the phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the comparison group is well-defined. Alternatives such as "the least preferred" or "the lowest priority" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context you are intending to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the least preferred

Replaces 'favored' with 'preferred', emphasizing choice and selection.

the lowest priority

Focuses on importance and ranking rather than general favor.

the least supported

Highlights a lack of endorsement or backing.

the most unpopular

Shifts the emphasis to lack of popularity instead of preference.

the least well-regarded

Focuses on reputation and esteem.

the least valued

Highlights the lack of worth or importance attributed to something.

the most disregarded

Implies neglect or lack of attention.

the most disadvantaged

Emphasizes a lack of advantages or opportunities.

the least fortunate

Shifts the focus to luck and circumstance.

the bottom of the list

Uses a more literal description of ranking and preference.

FAQs

How can I use "the least favored" in a sentence?

Use "the least favored" to describe something that receives the least amount of preference or support compared to others. For example, "Among the proposed solutions, this was "the least favored" by the committee".

What are some alternatives to "the least favored"?

Alternatives include "the least preferred", "the lowest priority", or "the most unpopular". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the least favored"?

Yes, "the least favored" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms that it is accurate and usable.

What is the difference between "the least favored" and "the least preferred"?

While similar, "the least favored" implies a general lack of support or advantage, while "the least preferred" specifically indicates a choice or selection where something is not chosen as often. The nuance depends on context.