the least pressing problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"the least pressing problem" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing issues or challenges, indicating that it is the one that requires the least immediate attention. For example, "Among all the issues we face, the least pressing problem is the color of the office walls." Alternative expressions include "the least urgent issue," "the lowest priority concern," and "the minor problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An analysis of Republican Senate primaries in 2010 and 2012 suggests that money is usually the least pressing problem for the incumbents and other establishment-backed candidates whom Mr. Rove's group might be inclined to support.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I tend to obsess over the least pressing problems, the ones over which I have the least control.

The New York Times

An Extravagant Ontology The first, a perhaps least pressing, problem of Plantinga's account is its commitment to a rich universe of fine-grained properties, relations, states of affairs, etc.

SEP

Nearly a quarter of the way into the season the Yankees' most pressing problem is pitching.

The New York Times

Beyond the budget deficit, what is the next most pressing problem facing the U.S. today?

Forbes

Taking into account at least two pressing problems in these areas of research - sharing between disciplines and the need to reach a wider audience beyond academia - free access to journals may have a disappointingly negligible effect unless underlined by a wider sea change in thinking.

The Guardian

The most pressing problem is displaced civilians.

The New York Times

The most pressing problem is undoubtedly the economy.

The Economist

Yet the more pressing problem has always been infrastructure.

Independent

Perhaps the most pressing problem is the market itself.

The New York Times

Arjen Robben is the more pressing problem for Chelsea.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place this phrase at the end of a list of problems to reinforce the hierarchy of importance you have established.

Common error

Do not use "the least pressing problem" if the issue is completely non-existent. The phrase implies that a problem does exist, even if it is minor. If there is no issue at all, use a term like "not a factor" or "irrelevant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the least pressing problem" acts as a superlative noun phrase. The word "least" modifies the present participle "pressing", which functions as an adjective, to indicate the absolute minimum degree of urgency within a specific group of problems. This structure is common in analytical writing curated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the least pressing problem" is a sophisticated way to signal low priority within a complex set of circumstances. According to Ludwig AI data, it is most frequently used in quality journalism and academic analysis to contrast minor issues with more critical ones. While its occurrence as an exact phrase is relatively rare, its grammatical structure is perfectly standard and highly effective for clear communication. When using this phrase, writers should ensure they are comparing a set of at least three items to justify the superlative form. Overall, it is a versatile tool for any writer looking to add nuance to their situational assessments, consistently appearing in some of the most respected English-language sources worldwide.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the lowest priority concern

Shifts focus to the organizational ranking of the issue.

the least urgent issue

Emphasizes the lack of time sensitivity rather than general importance.

the least significant challenge

Highlights the minimal impact of the problem.

the most trivial matter

Suggests the problem is so small it is almost unimportant.

a minor problem

A more common and less formal way to describe a low-priority issue.

a secondary worry

Indicates the problem is subordinate to more primary concerns.

a peripheral issue

Suggests the problem is on the edges of the main topic.

the last priority

Directly indicates placement at the bottom of a list.

a negligible difficulty

Suggests the problem can be easily ignored or overlooked.

the smallest concern

Focuses on the magnitude of the worry rather than its urgency.

FAQs

What does "the least pressing problem" mean?

It refers to a challenge or issue that requires the least immediate attention compared to others. You might use it to describe "a minor concern" in a larger project.

What can I say instead of "the least pressing problem"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "the lowest priority", "the least urgent issue", or "a secondary matter".

Is it "the least pressing problem" or "the less pressing problem"?

Use "the least pressing problem" when comparing three or more issues. Use "the less pressing problem" when comparing only two.

Is the phrase formal enough for a business report?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for formal and professional contexts. It is frequently found in high-level publications like "The Economist" and academic journals.