Is there any difference between "at least' and "at the least"?
Many online dictionaries define them as identical, but here is a multiple choice question:

___, American roots are no longer an easy selling point. Through much of the postwar period, US brands could play off this cachet; Levi's ad campaigns used wholesome themes of boy-meets-girl in a heartland American setting until the early 1990s.

A At least B At the least C At most D At the most

And the correct answer is B, the reference book provides no explanation. Please kindly tell me why.

Question

Is there any difference between "at least' and "at the least"?
Many online dictionaries define them as identical, but here is a multiple choice question:

___, American roots are no longer an easy selling point. Through much of the postwar period, US brands could play off this cachet; Levi's ad campaigns used wholesome themes of boy-meets-girl in a heartland American setting until the early 1990s.

A At least B At the least C At most D At the most

And the correct answer is B, the reference book provides no explanation. Please kindly tell me why.

Answer

I think they are just different because of emphasis ...'at the least' is stronger.

Answers · 2

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