Least likely to back down

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" Least likely to back down " serves as an adjective here?

Does it mean "impossible to chicken out"?

Context:

　NATURE MEDICINE YEAR BOOK
　　Fang Shimin: Least likely to back down Chinese blogger

　　Shimin has investigated and exposed numerous counts of scientific
misconduct. But even writing under a pen name ('Fang Zhouzi') did not
protect him from a physical attack, in which he says he was chased
down by assailants wielding a hammer. Shimin suffered only minor
injuries, but the incident brought attention to the perils faced by
journalists reporting on fraud in China.

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Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 508 • Replies: 8

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Not impossible but not likely to back down. It means that he will most likely continue doing what he's doing despite the risk.

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@boomerang,

Helped.
It serves as an adjective there?

2 Replies

@oristarA,

It has been 30 years since I've had to diagram a sentence so I could very well be wrong (and hopefully someone will come along to make sure your answer is correct) but I believe least likely is an adverb.

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Yes, it's an adjectival phrase.
The man "least likely to back down" could also be described as the bravest man. Or the most stubborn man.

0 Replies

@boomerang,

While you are correct that "least likely" is an adverbial phrase, it modifies "to back down," but within the phrase, only--the entire phrase, as McT points out, is an adjectival phrase modifying "Chinese Blogger."

1 Reply

@Setanta,

Thanks for the correction!

I enjoy trying to help on the ESL threads but I'm always a little leery about my advice when it goes beyond explaining meaning.

1 Reply

@boomerang,

I know exactly how you feel. This member is one of the more (or the most) sophisticated learner of English who comes here, and he asks some tough questions much of the time.

1 Reply

@Setanta,

I'm impressed with all the ESL learners who post here.

Their understanding of grammar is very often better then mine and mine is, I think, better than the average native English speaker.

Plus, they know a lot more English than I do of their language, no matter what their native language is.

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Least likely to back down

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