a minimal charge

USAGE SUMMARY

"a minimal charge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or minimal fee or cost for a product or service. Here is an example: "The company offers a range of services, with prices starting at a minimal charge of $10."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

If not, copies can be ordered from the Dyson School for a minimal charge.

Cornell University

The deckchairs are open for use by anyone at a minimal charge of £2 for a four-hour rest.

Independent

A minimal charge (of between two and five rupees) helps these "toilet complexes" towards Pathak's goal of becoming economically self-sufficient.

The Guardian

Those amendments, he said, will be completed for a minimal charge, while amendments for the 1987, 1988, and 1989 returns will probably be done free.

The New York Times

You can also often use the computers in public libraries for free or a minimal charge, but the hours are less convenient and you may have to fill in some forms.

The Guardian - Travel

Ms. Nanda spoke at her all-white Brooklyn apartment about how she and her co-developer, Audry Hill, finalized the creatures (expected to sell for $55, plus a minimal charge per message) and how young testers for Toymail Co. are reacting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The hospital-based health-seeking culture, lack of appointment system and the fact that the public system is free, or has a very minimal charge for services, mean that a large number of patients utilize the services available.

Human Resources for Health

Some non-profit and community-based organization will help you to consolidate your loans for free, or for a very minimal charge.

WikiHow

The Metropolitan Oval, a Queens field where 500 games a year are played at minimal charge, is struggling with a municipal tax bill that threatens to close it.

The New York Times

Specifically, the renovated health center had an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist and an ambulance that provided 24 h service either free or at minimal charge which was made available through a project support [ 19].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

There was also a large basket of various types of very good bread, including honest-to-God pretzels, for a minimal extra charge, which seemed to cry out for a glass of the house draft beer.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a service or product, use "a minimal charge" to reassure customers that the cost is low and affordable. This can be effective in attracting budget-conscious individuals.

Common error

Be careful not to imply that something is free when there is "a minimal charge". Always clarify the exact amount, even if small, to avoid misleading customers and maintain transparency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal charge" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "minimal" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "charge". Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minimal charge" is a grammatically sound and widely understood way to describe a very small fee for a product or service. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing, to convey affordability and transparency. While alternatives like ""a small fee"" and ""a nominal fee"" exist, "a minimal charge" effectively communicates the low cost while avoiding any implication of being completely free.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small fee

Replaces "charge" with "fee", indicating a payment for a service or privilege.

a nominal fee

Replaces "minimal" with "nominal", suggesting a very low or symbolic cost.

a slight cost

Uses "cost" instead of "charge" and "slight" instead of "minimal", emphasizing the low expense.

a reduced rate

Indicates a decrease from the standard price, highlighting the discount.

a low price

Replaces "charge" with "price", focusing on the affordability of the item or service.

a modest sum

Uses "sum" to refer to the charge, implying a small amount of money.

a reasonable expense

Focuses on the fairness of the cost, suggesting it's justifiable.

a trivial amount

Highlights the insignificance of the charge in terms of value.

a peppercorn payment

Emphasizes a very small or symbolic payment, often used in legal contexts.

a bargain price

Suggests the item or service is being offered at an exceptionally low cost.

FAQs

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

"A minimal charge" is used to indicate a very small fee for a service or product. For example: "There is "a minimal charge" for using the library's computers."

What are some alternatives to saying "a minimal charge"?

Alternatives to "a minimal charge" include "a small fee", "a nominal fee", or "a slight cost". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a minimal charge" in formal writing?

Yes, "a minimal charge" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. It clearly conveys the idea of a small fee without being overly technical or casual.

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

While similar, "a minimal charge" might imply the charge is as low as it can possibly be, whereas "a small fee" simply indicates that the fee is not large. They are often interchangeable.