Least, the least, at least

We use the quantifier least to talk about quantities, amounts and degree. (The) least is the superlative form of little.

We use the least with different classes of words.

We use the least to make the superlative forms of longer adjectives and the majority of adverbs:

Rosalind seems to be the least worried about their move. (+ adjective)

The least environmentally damaging power source is also the most expensive.

The machines that worked (the) least efficiently were replaced.

We use the least with a noun to mean ‘less than all of the others’. We can leave out the noun when it is obvious:

He did the least work of any of us.

We had a quiz. Rory got the most points. Tim got the least. (the least points)

We use least and the least with a verb as an adverb:

None of them worked much, but Karen worked the least.

Think of the person you’d least expect to get the job.

We use at least (and with more emphasis at the very least) to talk about a minimum number or amount, meaning ‘no less than’:

There were at least twenty people there.

It’ll cost you £3,000 at the very least.

We also use at least to express a minimum of what we expect to happen, usually when we are annoyed about something:

You could at least have phoned me to say you weren’t coming. I waited for ages.

We use at least to rephrase something we have said, to make it more accurate:

She hasn’t got any children. At least, I don’t think she has.

We also use at least to introduce something positive in a situation that seems negative:

It’s a shame it’s so cold but at least it isn’t raining.

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