How to say “at least” like a native speaker
This sets a minimum, or points out a positive fact in an otherwise difficult situation. It can also soften a correction: “at least, I think so”.
All phrases · Small talk
Hear “at least” in real speech
Clip 1 · BBC Learning English
Neil's difficult summer job in Canada 🫛 | Practise your listening with Real Easy English · 1:29
About this video
Neil and Georgie discuss difficult jobs they have had in this BBC Learning English conversation. Their examples include Neil's summer job in Canada and the stress caused by changes to a company's delivery arrangements.
In context
Oh yeah. Hard, hard work in the heat, in a field.Was it fun, at least?
Were you with friends?
Clip 2 · Brené Brown
Brené Brown on Empathy · 2:03
About this video
Brené Brown explains the difference between empathy and sympathy. She describes empathy as connecting with another person's feelings and contrasts it with responses that try to find a positive side too quickly.
In context
"I think my marriage is falling apart.""At least you have a marriage."
"John's getting kicked out of school."
Clip 3 · Josh Kaufman
The first 20 hours -- how to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU · 11:46
About this video
Josh Kaufman discusses learning a new skill with limited time, starting with how becoming a parent changed his priorities. He explains his approach to making the first twenty hours of practice more focused and efficient.
In context
the more likely you are to actually sit down and practice, right?And the fourth is to practice for at least 20 hours.
Now, most skills have what I call a frustration barrier.
When to use “at least”
- Setting a minimum: “Please arrive at least ten minutes early.”
- Finding one good thing after a delay: “We missed the train, but at least we're warm.”
Common learner mistake
For a minimum, use “at least”; “at last” means something finally happened.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “at least”
The T before L can be light. Keep the long vowel in “least” and its final ST without adding a syllable.
Related phrases
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