a minimal amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the smallest quantity or degree of something. Example: "The project requires a minimal amount of resources to get started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A minimal amount of cartilage is needed.

The New York Times - Science

We need a minimal amount of time.

The New York Times

Retitled Cage, this version contains a minimal amount of text.

The Guardian

"In a minimal amount of minutes, he gets a maximum amount of production".

The New York Times - Sports

But a minimal amount of vetting should have clued the teams into Allianz's past.

The New York Times - Sports

26 letters, 26 dishes, a minimal amount of cheating, and I'm done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We just buy well, prepare with care, and cook with a minimal amount of intrusion".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The farmers get a minimal amount, so it's easy to provide them an alternative.

The New York Times

(JP Morgan owns a minimal amount of Detroit's debt, so the payoff wouldn't be just financial).

The Guardian - Opinion

Officials presented a minimal amount of evidence, lacking the full details of the traders' misconduct.

The Guardian - Business

3.02pm BST Hamilton does a minimal amount of champers spraying, nowhere near the direction of Rosberg.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity in technical writing, use "a minimal amount" to clearly convey that only the smallest quantity is needed to achieve the desired outcome.

Common error

While acceptable in formal settings, overuse of "a minimal amount" in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a little" or "a bit" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal amount" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct. Examples show it specifying requirements, inputs or effects that are desired to be as small as possible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimal amount" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small quantity or degree. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. While appropriate across various contexts, it tends to find greater use in more formal or technical settings like news articles, scientific publications, and wiki guides. For informal settings, alternatives like "a little" or "a bit" can sound more natural. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little amount

Replaces "minimal" with "little", softening the emphasis on scarcity.

a small amount

Uses "small" instead of "minimal", providing a more common alternative.

a slight amount

Substitutes "minimal" with "slight", suggesting a barely perceptible quantity.

a negligible amount

Replaces "minimal" with "negligible", emphasizing the insignificance of the quantity.

a trace amount

Implies an extremely small, almost undetectable quantity.

a scant amount

Replaces "minimal" with "scant", indicating a barely sufficient quantity.

a minimum quantity

Replaces "amount" with the more formal "quantity", suitable for technical contexts.

a nominal amount

Suggests the amount is so small it's almost symbolic.

a trifling amount

Emphasizes the unimportance of the small quantity.

a modicum

Uses a noun that represents a small quantity of something, often something abstract like effort or knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "a minimal amount" in a sentence?

Use "a minimal amount" to indicate a small or the smallest possible quantity of something, for example, "The recipe requires "a minimal amount" of salt".

What's the difference between "a minimal amount" and "a small amount"?

While similar, "a minimal amount" emphasizes that the quantity is the smallest possible, whereas "a small amount" simply indicates a quantity that is not large.

Are there contexts where "a minimal amount" is not appropriate?

In very informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a little" or "just a bit" may sound more natural than "a minimal amount".

What are some synonyms for "a minimal amount"?

Synonyms include "a little amount", "a small amount", "a slight amount", or "a negligible amount", depending on the nuance you want to convey.