to the earliest vs at the earliest

"At the earliest" is correct and indicates the earliest possible time something can happen. "To the earliest" is not a common phrase in English.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 26, 2025 • 6275 views

This phrase is not commonly used in English.

"to the earliest"

The phrase "to the earliest" is not a standard English expression. It does not convey a clear meaning and is not commonly used in everyday language.

Show examples from the web [+]

These pictographs are reputed to be similar to the earliest characters confirmed to be written Chinese. If it is deemed to be a written language, writing in China ...
... in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. Around the 27th century BC, the Old Kingdom of Egypt and the First Dynasty of Uruk are founded, according to the earliest ...
May 5, 2015 ... Astronomers nail down distance to the earliest galaxy yet. Most distant galaxy. NASA. The galaxy EGS-zs8-1, the most distant galaxy yet seen, ...
... realized and matter was credited with properties that belong to life, it is usual to apply the term hylozoism to the earliest stage of Greek metaphysical theory.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"at the earliest"

"At the earliest" is used to indicate the earliest possible time something can happen. It implies that the event may happen sooner but not before the specified time.

Examples:

We can expect the results by Friday at the earliest.
The repair work will be completed by next week at the earliest.
She will arrive at 3 p.m. at the earliest.
The meeting will start at 10 a.m. at the earliest.
The package will arrive at your doorstep at 5 p.m. at the earliest.

Show examples from the web [+]

The notification process is to be concluded by 28 July 2010 at the earliest.
Aid may be granted as from 1 May and, at the earliest, 15 days after notification.
The European Parliament shall be consulted at the earliest stage.
· Donor identification: All potential donors should be identified at the earliest stage as possible.
Aid may be granted as from 1 May and, at the earliest, 15 days following notification.
Implementation will start progressively in 2006 at the earliest.
Introduction is consequently foreseen in 2005 at the earliest.
She'll come to trial at the earliest possible moment.
We won't know until tomorrow at the earliest.
Not till September at the earliest.
Withdrawal can only take effect at the earliest on 31 December 2026.
This means that no useful assessment can be made before 2010 at the earliest.
The Commission has called for their closure at the earliest possible stage of the enlargement process.
Such decision shall become effective at the earliest from the following Eurosystem business day.
The first would involve compliance at the earliest possible date with currently demonstrated test standards.
Operators have a legitimate interest in receiving this information at the earliest possible stage.
The bulk of our legions will arrive on tomorrow's eve at the earliest.
This information should be available at the earliest possible stage.
We published a paper that described this finding at the earliest prototype stage.
We must reach penetration zero at the earliest possible moment.

Alternatives:

as soon as possible
earliest possible time
no earlier than
not before
the soonest

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to the earliest vs at the earliest

"to the earliest"

"at the earliest"

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