the slowest

USAGE SUMMARY

"the slowest" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is the superlative form of the adjective "slow," used to indicate something that is the least fast of a group of things. Example: "Out of all the runners in the race, John was the slowest, but he still managed to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

August is the slowest month.

The New Yorker

"I was the slowest woman".

The New York Times - Health

The slowest sort of falling at first.

The New Yorker

The slowest do not always finish last.

The Economist

Architecture is the slowest art.

The New Yorker

And the slowest outfield player?

The Guardian - Sport

And I was the slowest.

The Guardian - Music

Why are they playing the slowest?

The New York Times

tutelage than those that grew the slowest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm the slowest starter, it's so ironic.

BBC

"December was the slowest month in memory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the slowest", ensure you're comparing it to a defined group. For example, "the slowest car on the track" provides context.

Common error

Avoid using "the slowest" without a clear comparison. Saying "that's the slowest!" is vague. Instead, specify what you're comparing it to, such as "That's the slowest internet connection I've ever used."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the slowest" functions primarily as a superlative adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating that it possesses the least amount of speed compared to others in a defined set. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the slowest" is a commonly used superlative adjective phrase that identifies something as having the least speed or rate of progress compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig's examples show its frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. While its register is generally neutral, its effectiveness depends on providing clear context for comparison. When writing, remember to define the group to which "the slowest" is being compared to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "least rapid" or "most delayed" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the least rapid

Uses "least rapid" instead of "slowest" to convey the same meaning with different wording.

the most delayed

Replaces "slowest" with "most delayed", focusing on the aspect of being behind schedule.

the most sluggish

Substitutes "slowest" with "most sluggish", emphasizing a lack of energy or momentum.

the most gradual

Replaces "slowest" with "most gradual", highlighting the aspect of happening slowly over time.

the most leisurely

Uses "most leisurely" instead of "slowest", suggesting a relaxed pace.

the most unhurried

Replaces "slowest" with "most unhurried", focusing on the absence of rushing.

the most plodding

Substitutes "slowest" with "most plodding", emphasizing a heavy, slow movement.

the most creeping

Replaces "slowest" with "most creeping", highlighting a slow, almost imperceptible movement.

the tardiest

Uses "tardiest" as a synonym for "slowest", implying being late or delayed.

the least accelerated

Employs a more technical term, "least accelerated", to indicate the lowest rate of increase in speed.

FAQs

How can I use "the slowest" in a sentence?

Use "the slowest" to describe something that has the least speed compared to others. For instance, "He was "the slowest runner" in the race."

What are some alternatives to saying "the slowest"?

You can use phrases like "the least rapid", "the most delayed", or "the most sluggish" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "slowest" or should I always use "the slowest"?

While "slowest" can be used as an adjective, "the slowest" is typically used when you are comparing something to a group and identifying it as the least fast. For example, "This is the slowest train". Using only "slowest" works better to describe something, for example, "a slowest speed possible".

What is the difference between "the slowest" and "slower"?

"The slowest" indicates something is the least fast among a group, while "slower" is used to compare two things. For instance, "This car is slower than that one", versus "This is "the slowest car" in the race".