Do you want to know whether “to say the least” is a good formal phrase to include in emails?
Perhaps you’re worried it doesn’t quite hit the mark or is a bit too unprofessional.
Luckily, you have options!
This article will show you how to say “to say the least” when you want to keep things fresh.
Other Ways to Say “To Say the Least”
- To put it mildly
- Without a doubt
- Without exaggeration
- At the very least
- To be conservative
- Without question
- Undoubtedly
- Clearly
- Plainly
- Obviously
- Certainly
- Without dispute
- Beyond a doubt
- To be sure
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “To say the least” is correct and allows you to describe something in the strongest possible way.
- “To put it mildly” is a great formal synonym if you’re looking for a simple way to mix things up.
- Try “without a doubt” for something more informal that’ll help your writing feel friendlier.
So, keep reading to learn another way to say “to say the least.” We’ve explored more regarding the best formal and informal alternatives to help you see what works.
Also, the final section will go over whether it’s correct to write “to say the least.” So, if you’re interested in learning more about that, we recommend skipping forward.
To Put It Mildly (Formal)
You can use “to put it mildly” as a formal way to say “to say the least.”
This is a great way to over-emphasize your point. It suggests that you’ve described something in the most positive way you can.
For instance:
You did great work, to put it mildly.
As you can see, this suggests that someone did very well on a project or assignment. The implication is that their work was great, but you feel like “great” doesn’t do them enough justice.
Overall, the phrase is professional and sincere. So, you’ll have great luck using it when contacting clients or students who want to run their work by you.
Check out these email samples to learn a bit more about using it:
Dear Joanna,
This project is incredible, to put it mildly.
You went above and beyond with what I asked for, and I’m glad to see you develop.
Yours,
Stephen Athens
Dear Clara,
To put it mildly, this assignment is well done.
I’ve never seen anyone put this amount of effort in, and I want you to know I’m proud.
Best regards,
Samuel Davis
Without a Doubt (Informal)
You can use “without a doubt” as another way to say “to say the least.”
This is a more informal synonym that works best when you want to describe something as the best (or worst) version of itself.
Generally, this phrase is a bit more friendly and casual.
You can use it both positively or negatively, making it a versatile choice in most situations.
For instance, it might be good to use this when contacting a coworker.
Here’s a helpful email sample to show you a bit more about that:
Hey Howard,
This is, without a doubt, a good idea.
I think we should certainly pursue this to see what we can get out of it.
Yours,
Duncan Staunch
It’s also good to use something like this when texting a friend. You might want to use it to describe an idea or activity suggestion they might have thrown at you.
So, check out this example to learn a bit more about it:
That is, without a doubt, the best idea you’ve come up with! I can’t wait to let the rest of the team know.
Is It Correct to Say “To Say the Least”?
It is correct to say “to say the least.” It allows you to describe something in the strongest possible way if you can’t find more effective words to do so.
However, it is not formal. So, you won’t often use it in emails.
It’s a bit of a cliché, too. After all, the phrase itself is quite well-known and overused.
Still, it is correct. So, it’s worth reviewing this example to learn how to say “to say the least” in a sentence:
This is interesting, to say the least. I certainly hadn’t framed it in that way, and I think it’s worth looking into.
Also, you can use these extensions if you want to mix the phrase up a bit more:
- Interesting,to say the least
- Disappointed,to say the least
- Not thrilled,to say the least
- Not impressive,to say the least
- Shocking,to say the least
As you can see, a comma comes after every descriptive word.
Also, it’s worth noting that the phrase works for both positive and negative descriptions. So, it can be a good or a bad thing.
Feel free to bookmark this page before you leave, as well! Then, you can remind yourself of the best synonyms for “to say the least” when you want to mix things up.