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I am not able to understand when "as little as possible" or "as least as possible" should be used.
For example, I cannot understand which is the more appropriate form in the following example
- Energy for transportation from heat source to evaporator needs to be as least as possible
- energy for transportation from heat source to evaporator needs to be as little as possible
Robbo
Posted 2014-12-01T19:47:06.887
Reputation: 705
3
First off, as little as possible is the only option that I have ever read or used. I believe the other example you listed is grammatically correct, but it really isn't used.
Second, your example sentence should read:
Energy for transportation from heat source to evaporator needs to be used as little as possible.
The term means basically, while you may need to use some energy you should try to use the least amount that you can function with.
Other uses would be:
The hotel did as little as possible to make me comfortable! They only gave me one towel, and there wasn't even a coffee machine
ccanduc
Posted 2014-12-01T19:47:06.887
Reputation: 366
2Instead of "as least as possible", people say "the least possible". – Dan Getz – 2014-12-01T20:15:23.587
1Equative constructions use as...as. Superlative constructions use least. One or the other, not both. – John Lawler – 2014-12-01T22:24:06.627