there were at least

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were at least" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a minimum quantity or amount of something. For example: "There were at least 20 people in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could have sworn there were at least three bedrooms.

The New York Times - Arts

From recollection there were at least four other people present.

Independent

There were at least 800".

The New York Times

There were at least three false endings.

The New York Times - Arts

There were at least two women.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were at least 200 mourners.

The New York Times

There were at least two other lures.

Stanford University

There were at least 90, perhaps 100.

The Guardian

There were at least two other warnings.

The Washington Post

There were at least eight Crusades.

Britannica

There were at least 102 arrests.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were at least", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are quantifying. For example, specify whether you're referring to people, items, or events to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were at least" when you know the exact number. This phrase suggests a minimum estimate, not a confirmed total. Use precise numbers when available to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were at least" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the existence of a minimum quantity of something. Ludwig shows examples where it specifies a lower limit on counts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were at least" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a minimum quantity or number. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, primarily news and media. Its function is to provide a conservative estimate, and while it maintains a neutral register, its use should be reserved for situations where the exact number is unknown or less important than establishing a lower bound. Alternative phrasing includes "at a minimum there were" and "no fewer than".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the very least there were

Adds emphasis to the minimum quantity, suggesting the number could be higher.

at a minimum there were

Reorders the sentence structure to emphasize the minimum quantity.

conservatively estimating, there were

Indicates a cautious or understated estimate of the minimum quantity.

there existed a minimum of

Uses a more formal and emphatic tone to express the minimum.

as a lower bound, there were

Uses a mathematical term to denote a minimum.

a minimum of

Shortens the phrase for a more concise expression of quantity.

no fewer than

Emphasizes that the actual number was not less than the stated amount.

it is estimated that there were

Introduces an element of estimation or approximation.

there had to be

Expresses the minimum quantity with a sense of necessity or logical deduction.

it is believed there were

Expresses belief of a lower bound, implying uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "there were at least" in a sentence?

Use "there were at least" to indicate a minimum quantity or number. For example, "There were at least ten people waiting in line."

What's a more formal way to say "there were at least"?

A more formal alternative is "no fewer than". For example, "No fewer than twenty participants attended the workshop" /s/no+fewer+than.

What does "there were at least" imply about the actual number?

It implies that the actual number was equal or more than the indicated quantity, so the exact amount might be unknown or unconfirmed.

Can I use "there were at least" with singular nouns?

No, "there were at least" is used with plural nouns because it indicates a quantity greater than or equal to one. For a singular noun, consider "there was at least one" instead.