a basic minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a basic minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the least amount or level of something that is considered acceptable or necessary. Example: "To ensure safety, the company has established a basic minimum of training hours for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Would the state crowd out charity, or must a basic minimum be a condition of citizenship?

The Guardian - Opinion

The constitution reflects the current attempt to redefine NHS care into a basic minimum package.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clegg's tycoon tax proposal, a basic minimum rate of tax on all income, is a very good idea.

The Guardian - Opinion

The practical difficulty of data collection is obviated by limiting information to a basic minimum dataset.

Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual

Score: 0 2012 State of the Union: From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax.

The Guardian

Scotland take charge of employment rights covered now by the EU social chapter, and be empowered to top up a basic minimum wage.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We shall consider two versions of this argument, Dworkin's (1981 , 1994 2000) effort to spell out the implications of treating people with equal respect, and Gibbard's (1982) appeal to an ex ante pareto optimality principle combined with an assumed right to a decent basic minimum of income.

SEP

Efforts to specify a decent basic minimum more commonly appeal to a list of categories of services or to some "average" level of services in a particular health system.

SEP

There are three ways to elucidate the notion of a decent basic minimum: (1) the provision of a general criterion by reference to which we can tell if services are within the minimum or are above it; (2) the simple listing the types of services included; or (3) the description of a fair procedure for determining the minimum.

SEP

Asked if it is the job of government to make "sure that every family has a decent basic minimum income" three-quarters of Britons, 74%, agree, against just 16% who believe this should not be the state's concern.

The Guardian

A prominent competing view, especially in the United States, is a modified market view that focuses on the availability in the market of a decent basic minimum of care (cf. Enthoven 1980).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing standards or requirements, use "a basic minimum" to denote the least acceptable level. This clarifies expectations and sets a clear benchmark for performance or compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "a basic minimum" when you're actually referring to the desired or optimal level. "A basic minimum" indicates the lowest acceptable standard, not the ideal one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic minimum" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used to specify the least acceptable quantity, level, or standard required or expected. Ludwig examples show it modifying other nouns or acting as a subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a basic minimum" is a commonly used phrase that denotes the lowest acceptable level or standard. Ludwig AI analysis, with its examples across diverse sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalent use in defining minimum requirements. While alternatives like "a fundamental minimum" or "a bare minimum" exist, "a basic minimum" provides a clear and widely understood benchmark. When writing, avoid confusing it with optimal levels and use it to set explicit lower bounds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental minimum

Focuses on the foundational aspect, emphasizing the irreducible core.

an essential minimum

Highlights the necessity and indispensability of the minimum requirement.

a bare minimum

Emphasizes the scarcity or insufficiency, implying that it's the least acceptable.

a minimal threshold

Stresses the idea of a boundary or limit that must be surpassed.

a baseline standard

Suggests a starting point or reference level for evaluation.

a bottom-line requirement

Emphasizes the non-negotiable aspect of the minimum.

a rudimentary level

Implies simplicity and lack of sophistication.

a threshold level

Implies a level needs to be reached or surpassed.

a low-end estimate

Highlights the conservative or understated nature of the value.

a bedrock principle

Stresses the foundational and unwavering nature of the minimum.

FAQs

How can I use "a basic minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "a basic minimum" to describe the lowest acceptable level of something. For example, "The company ensures "a basic minimum" standard of safety for all employees".

What are some alternatives to "a basic minimum"?

Alternatives include "a fundamental minimum", "an essential minimum", or "a bare minimum", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "basic minimum"?

While "basic" and "minimum" share semantic overlap, the phrase "a basic minimum" is commonly used to emphasize the fundamental and lowest acceptable level, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

What is the difference between "a basic minimum" and "a decent minimum"?

"A basic minimum" refers to the lowest acceptable standard, whereas "a decent minimum" implies a standard that is satisfactory or respectable, potentially higher than the absolute minimum.