As a bare minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As a bare minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the least amount or the most basic requirement that is acceptable in a given situation. Example: "To complete the project, we need to submit at least one report, as a bare minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

As a bare minimum, graduates should also have knowledge in standard Microsoft Office packages.

The Guardian

As a bare minimum there must be general standards of conduct, substantively constitutionally proper, applied to the individual in a fair proceeding with defined issues resulting in a binding, final determination.

Cornell University

As a bare minimum, each child gets a 30-minute music lesson, a half-hour follow-up lesson, plus a one-hour music assembly with a guest musician and group singing.

The Guardian

But at least we should decide, as a bare minimum principle, to stop kicking people when they're down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gordon denied Jack and McGregor halted Scott Arfield as Rangers chased the second their afternoon's work merited as a bare minimum.

The Guardian - Sport

The education authorities in the cantons agreed only 25 years ago to teach a second national language, as a bare minimum, in secondary schools.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Stopping short of calling for Governor Rowland, a Republican, to resign, the leader, George C. Jepsen, said, "At a bare minimum, step aside for as long as it takes for these investigations to be completed".

The New York Times

Be polite, at a bare minimum.

Vice

In the end, we made what funding we could get go as far as possible, cut our costs to a bare minimum, continued to pay our writers, built up a subscriber base and survived for nearly six years.

The Guardian

"My Korean-born-and-raised parents both came to America as young adults, knowing a bare minimum of English, having a handful of family to rely on, and coping with a true culture shock," Lee once wrote.

The Washington Post

Schools who chose to use a lot of BTecs, say, do not get penalised on this measure so long as they also do a bare minimum of five GCSEs.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "As a bare minimum" to clearly define the lowest acceptable standard or requirement in a negotiation, project plan, or set of instructions. This helps manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid setting the "bare minimum" too low, as it can lead to subpar results or unmet expectations. Ensure the "bare minimum" is still meaningful and contributes to the overall goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As a bare minimum" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the least acceptable or essential requirement. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "As a bare minimum" is a useful expression for setting the lowest acceptable standard or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Analysis of various sources, particularly news and business publications, indicates that it's a common way to communicate basic expectations. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's essential to ensure that the stated minimum is still meaningful and contributes to the desired outcome. Alternatives like "at the very least" or "as a minimum requirement" can be used for variety, but "As a bare minimum" provides a clear and direct way to define essential requirements in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At the very least

Focuses on the lowest acceptable standard or condition, similar to setting a floor.

As a minimum requirement

Highlights the most basic standard that must be met.

At an absolute minimum

Emphasizes that the described condition is the lowest possible.

The least one can do

Indicates the smallest effort or action that is acceptable or expected.

As an essential prerequisite

Emphasizes the necessity of something as a preliminary condition.

As a fundamental condition

Highlights the basic and necessary nature of a requirement.

If nothing else

Suggests that something should be done, even if nothing more is accomplished.

As a basic starting point

Implies that something is the initial and necessary step in a process.

At rock bottom

Indicates the lowest possible level or standard.

As a baseline

Highlights the standard or level from which improvements can be measured.

FAQs

How can I use "As a bare minimum" in a sentence?

Use "As a bare minimum" to specify the least acceptable requirement in a given situation. For example, "As a bare minimum, we need to submit one report this week."

What is a good alternative to "As a bare minimum"?

Alternatives include "at the very least", "as a minimum requirement", or "at an absolute minimum", which all convey a similar sense of the lowest acceptable standard.

Is it better to say "As a bare minimum" or "At a bare minimum"?

"As a bare minimum" is the more common and natural phrasing. "At a bare minimum" is less frequently used and might sound slightly awkward.

What does "As a bare minimum" imply about expectations?

Using "As a bare minimum" implies that while more could be done or achieved, the stated requirement is the least that is acceptable or necessary to meet a basic standard.