Archive for January, 2013

Structures with least and left

January 27th, 2013 in English Learning

At least

At least means ‘not less than (but perhaps more than)’. Note that at least is written as two words.

  • ‘How old is he?’ ‘At least forty.’
  • I phoned him at least six times.
  • She has acted in at least twelve films.
  • I have written at least ten letters since morning.
  • You have eaten at least fifteen chocolates.
  • She has lost at least $2000.
  • At least twenty people died in the crash.

At least can also be used as a discourse marker.

  • Ghosts don’t exist. At least, I haven’t seen one.
  • The car was completely damaged in the crash. But at least nobody was hurt.

Not in the least

Not in the least means not at all.

  • I was not in the least amused by her antics. (= I was not at all amused by her antics.)
  • She is not in the least worried about her safety. (= She is not at all worried about her safety.)
  • She is not in the least interested in the proposal.

Using left

Left can mean ‘remaining’, ‘not used’ or ‘still there’.

  • I haven’t got any money left. (= I haven’t got any money that I can spend.)
  • What did you do with the money that was left?
  • There is some milk left.
  • We haven’t got any rice left.

Note that left goes at the end of the structure.