the lowest priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the lowest priority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing tasks, responsibilities, or items that are considered to be of the least importance or urgency. Example: "In our project timeline, the marketing strategy is currently the lowest priority compared to product development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Applicants for dissertation research abroad receive the lowest priority.

University of California, Berkeley

"This policy was about the lowest priority in the firm," Mr. Buell argued.

The New York Times

While voters consider marijuana arrests the "lowest priority," Mr. DiCroce called them "not high-priority".

The New York Times

The earliest years - once the lowest priority - are now rightly becoming amongst the highest priorities.

The Guardian

Data monetization programs had the lowest priority and the lowest percentage of success (27%).

Harvard Business Review

"This has always been the lowest priority in the division; it still is the lowest priority in the division," said James Hauswirth, who retired from the Phoenix office in 1999 but stays in contact with other agents.

The New York Times

Lower numbers correspond to lower priorities, so that priority 0 is the lowest priority and priority 63 is the highest.

Stanford University

Students who apply for a program at a school outside their borough will have the lowest priority.

The New York Times

At the opposite end of the list, parking (3%), community relations and antisocial behaviour (both 4%) were deemed the lowest priority.

The Guardian

A disabled child has the lowest priority amongst poor families if they cannot afford to send all the children to school.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Measure Z sought to make enforcement of marijuana laws--all laws, not just those relating to medical marijuana--the lowest priority of local law enforcement.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the lowest priority", ensure it's clear what the higher priorities are to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example: "While customer satisfaction is crucial, addressing technical debt is currently the lowest priority."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "the lowest priority" means something is unimportant or will be ignored. It simply means it's being addressed after other, more pressing matters are handled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the lowest priority" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or an object of a preposition. It identifies something as being of least importance in a set of competing concerns. Ludwig AI confirms this through various examples, showing its adaptable use in different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the lowest priority" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote something of least importance or urgency. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While versatile, clarity is key: always make it clear in relation to what something has "the lowest priority". Alternatives like "least important concern" or "bottom of the list" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid assuming it means something will be ignored, but rather that it's being addressed after other, more pressing matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Least important concern

This alternative focuses on importance, specifying that the subject is not very important.

Bottom of the list

This alternative uses a list metaphor to indicate the subject's position in terms of priority.

Lowest-ranking item

This alternative emphasizes the hierarchical ranking of the subject.

Of least significance

This emphasizes the lack of importance or impact associated with the subject.

Minor issue

This alternative simplifies the concept to a small or unimportant problem.

Secondary importance

This suggests the subject has some importance, but not as much as other things.

Not a key priority

This highlights the absence of the subject from the main priorities.

Less pressing matter

This alternative suggests the subject can be deferred or is not urgent.

Lower in precedence

This alternative focuses on the order of handling or attention.

Not a focal point

This suggests the subject is not receiving much attention or focus.

FAQs

How can I use "the lowest priority" in a sentence?

You can use "the lowest priority" to indicate that something is less important than other things. For example, "Given the budget constraints, marketing is "currently the lowest priority" compared to product development".

What's the difference between "the lowest priority" and "not a priority"?

"The lowest priority" means something will be addressed eventually but after other items, whereas "not a priority" suggests it may not be addressed at all.

What are some alternatives to saying "the lowest priority"?

Alternatives include "least important concern", "bottom of the list", or "minor issue" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "the lowest priority" in professional writing?

It's appropriate when you need to clearly communicate that a task or objective is being deferred in favor of more urgent matters. Always provide context to avoid misinterpretations.