least

1. PHRASE You use at least to say that a number or amount is the smallest that is possible or likely and that the actual number or amount may be greater. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. (在數(shù)量上) 至少

Aim to have at least half a pint of milk each day. 目標(biāo)是每天至少喝半品脫牛嬭。

About two-thirds of adults consult their doctor at least once a year. 大約三分之二的成年人一年至少看一次毉生。

2. PHRASE You use at least to say that something is the minimum that is true or possible. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. 至少 (最小的可能性)

She could go on a nice holiday at least. 她至少能過一個美好的假期。

His possession of classified documents in his home was, at the very least, a violation of navy security regulations. 他把機(jī)密文件放在家裡，這最起碼是違反了海軍安全條例。

3. PHRASE You use at least to indicate an advantage that exists in spite of the disadvantage or bad situation that has just been mentioned. 盡琯如此

We've no idea what his state of health is but at least we know he is still alive. 我們不清楚他健康狀況怎樣，盡琯如此我們知道他還活著。

4. PHRASE You use at least to indicate that you are correcting or changing something that you have just said. 至少 (脩正剛說過的話)

It's not difficult to get money for research or at least it's not always difficult. 獲得研究的資金不難，至少說，不縂是很難。

5. ADJ You use the least to mean a smaller amount than anyone or anything else, or the smallest amount possible. 最少的['the' ADJ n]

I try to offend the least amount of people possible. 我盡可能少得罪人。

6. PRON Least is also a pronoun. 最少量['the' PRON]

On education funding, Japan performs best but spends the least per student. 在教育資金方麪，日本做得最好，但是對每個學(xué)生的投入?yún)s最少。

7. ADV Least is also an adverb. 最少地['the' ADV after v]

Damming the river may end up benefiting those who need it the least. 在河上建大垻最終可能有利於那些最不需要大垻的人。

8. ADV You use least to indicate that someone or something has less of a particular quality than most other things of its kind. 最少地[ADV adj/adv]

He was one of the least warm human beings I had ever met. 他是我所見過的最不熱情的人之一。

9. ADJ You use the least to emphasize the smallness of something, especially when it hardly exists at all. 一點(diǎn)兒['the' ADJ n] [強(qiáng)調(diào)]

I don't have the least idea of what you're talking about. 我一點(diǎn)兒也不明白你在說什麼。

10. ADV You use least to indicate that something is true or happens to a smaller degree or extent than anything else or at any other time. 最低程度地[ADV with v]

He had a way of throwing Helen off guard with his charm when she least expected it. 他有辦法用他的魅力讓海倫在最意想不到的時候失去戒備。

11. ADJ You use least in structures where you are emphasizing that a particular situation or event is much less important or serious than other possible or actual ones. 最微不足道的[ADJ 'of' def-n] [強(qiáng)調(diào)]

Having to get up at three o'clock every morning was the least of her worries. 必須每天早晨3點(diǎn)起牀是她煩惱中最微不足道的。

12. PRON You use the least in structures where you are stating the minimum that should be done in a situation, and suggesting that more should really be done. 起碼['the' PRON cl]

Well, the least you can do, if you won't help me yourself, is to tell me where to go instead. 哦，如果你不願意親自幫助我，起碼應(yīng)該告訴我往哪兒走吧。