a mere minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is only the smallest or least amount required or expected. Example: "The budget allocated for the project is a mere minimum, barely enough to cover the essential expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without a doubt, the mere minimum you need to do to recruit and retain talent is to show respect, empower, provide feedback and be a generally good person to want to work for.

TechCrunch

So for a mere $999 minimum investment to start you can now get a stake in this Silicon Valley-based robot security guard company.

TechCrunch

See id. at 27. Second, the Bruesewitzes contend that because the FDA only passively supervises vaccine manufacturers, promulgating mere minimum safety requirements, the threat of civil litigation encourages manufacturers to generate vaccines that exceed the FDA's low-slung standards.

Cornell University

Not counting public money and taxes that have been deferred, the big banks' capital is derisory: equivalent to barely 2% of their assets, a mere quarter of the minimum that international rules require.

The Economist

The glass is a mere three atoms thick the minimum thickness of silica glass which makes it two-dimensional.

Science Magazine

This year has seen no such opposite of a perfect storm, yet the summer sea-ice minimum is a mere 4% bigger than that record.

The Economist

There is, however, also a downward limit to how far a person can fall, since one cannot descend below the level at which one becomes a mere human being with certain minimum irreducible rights and responsibilities.

SEP

"My job at the local hardware store paid minimum wage, a mere $1.25 an hour.

Huffington Post

And to maximize outdoor space on the 45-foot-wide, 130-foot-deep lot, Radziner placed the house along one edge and made it a mere 18 feet wide -- the minimum width of a two-car garage, which local laws require in all new houses.

The New York Times - Magazine

Indeed, he is bottom of the conversion rate stats for Premier League strikers with no goals from a mere seven shots - based on a minimum of five shots.

BBC

For a teacher earning $57,000 a year the increase would mean a mere $3.41 an hour, less than minimum wage.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to show surprise or disappointment at a quantity or effort being at its lowest possible level, then use "a mere minimum".

Common error

Avoid using "a mere minimum" when the context already clearly implies that the quantity or effort is minimal. Redundancy weakens your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere minimum" functions as a modifier to emphasize how small or barely sufficient something is. It indicates that something is at the lower end of what is acceptable or expected. This emphasizes the limited nature of the quantity or effort.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a mere minimum" is used to emphasize that something is just barely enough or at the lowest acceptable level. While grammatically sound, the phrase carries a subtle connotation of inadequacy or disappointment. Alternatives such as ""bare minimum"" or ""just a minimum"" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English, highlighting its role in emphasizing the smallest amount required or expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Just a minimum

Replaces "mere" with "just", emphasizing the basic or essential nature of the minimum.

Bare minimum

Uses "bare" to highlight the scantiness or inadequacy of the minimum.

Absolute minimum

Emphasizes that the minimum is the lowest possible limit.

Sheer minimum

Emphasizes that the minimum is the lowest possible amount

Minimum possible

Rephrases the concept to focus on the possibility of achieving the minimum.

A paltry minimum

Replaces "mere" with "paltry" to emphasize the insignificance of the minimum.

A trivial minimum

Highlights the unimportance or insignificance of the minimum.

A negligible minimum

Focuses on how the minimum is so small it can be disregarded.

A basic minimum

Emphasizes the fundamental and essential nature of the minimum requirement.

An insignificant minimum

Highlights the lack of importance or impact of the minimum.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mere minimum" to emphasize how small or insufficient something is. For example, "The company's contribution was "just a minimum" to what was needed."

What can I say instead of "a mere minimum"?

Alternatives include "bare minimum", "absolute minimum", or "just a minimum" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a mere minimum"?

While grammatically correct, "a mere minimum" is most effective when you want to express a sense of disappointment or inadequacy regarding a quantity or effort. If you simply want to state the minimum requirement without any added emotion, a more neutral phrase like "the minimum" might be better.

What is the difference between "a mere minimum" and "the minimum"?

"A mere minimum" carries a connotation of something being barely sufficient or even inadequate. "The minimum" is a more neutral term simply referring to the lowest acceptable quantity or level.