a minimal need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a basic or essential requirement for something. Example: "In order to survive in the wilderness, one must have at least a minimal need for food and water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

What this says about the psychology of the mad sports fan, or team supporter — that it is a pure Pavlovian exercise in goals scored, points made, without even a minimal need for drama and athletic display — is depressing, though probably true.

The New Yorker

The "Holy Grail" of metal additive manufacturing is to manufacture reliable high-performance metal parts with no or a minimal need of post processing.

Acta Materialia

And at upscale chain Nordstrom, strong merchandise and a minimal need for discounting figures to keep profit margins high and comp sales at double-digit growth this month, according to Black.

Forbes

Next to the pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), the dry powder inhaler (DPI) is a frequently used device because of the good drug stability and a minimal need for patient coordination.

Computers in Biology and Medicine

Eleven percent of the care recipients were classified as having a minimal need of care (mean score 19 points), 39% as having a moderate need of care (mean score 27 points), 39% a recurrent and demanding need of care (mean score 39 points), and 11% as being totally or nearly dependent on receiving care (mean score 48 points).

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A critical minimal need includes a basic assessment of whether pathogen exposure likely occurred in 1) the peridomestic environment, 2) outside the peridomestic environment but within the county of residence, or 3) outside the county of residence.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

We also indicated that a critical minimal need includes a basic assessment of whether pathogen exposure likely occurred in 1) the peridomestic environment, 2) outside the peridomestic environment but within the county of residence, or 3) outside the county of residence (2 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This may be due to the fact that, compared to females, males can more easily opt to use a condom with minimal need for condom negotiation and no need for disclosure.

AIDS and Behavior

The blades of a horizontal axis tidal turbine are required to operate in a harsh subsea environment over a long life cycle with minimal need for maintenance.

Renewable Energy

For instance, Caterpillar employs 3,600 people on its remanufacturing programme, which emphasizes component recovery and returns end-of life products to as-new condition, at a fraction of the cost of a new part and with minimal need for raw materials.

The Guardian

Instrumented spinal fusion allows early ambulation with minimal need for a postoperative external immobilizer.

The Spine Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minimal need" when you want to emphasize that the requirement is basic and not extensive. This suggests efficiency and simplicity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimal need" when a stronger term like "essential requirement" is more appropriate. Using it incorrectly can diminish the importance of the actual need.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal need" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a requirement or necessity that is very small or basic. Ludwig examples show its use in describing requirements for care, maintenance, or resources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minimal need" is grammatically correct and serves to describe something that requires very little in terms of resources, effort, or attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's not a very common phrase, appearing "rarely" in the analyzed data, it finds application across both scientific and news contexts. When using "a minimal need", ensure that the context genuinely reflects a small or basic requirement, and consider alternatives like "a basic requirement" or "a slight necessity" to tailor your expression more precisely. Its strength lies in its ability to convey efficiency and simplicity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight necessity

Replaces "need" with a synonym suggesting a small degree of requirement.

a basic requirement

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the requirement, similar to "minimal".

a fundamental necessity

Highlights that the need is essential and foundational.

a small demand

Substitutes "need" with "demand", indicating something requested or required, but to a small degree.

a limited requirement

Focuses on the restricted or constrained nature of the need.

a minor prerequisite

Indicates a less important condition that must be met beforehand.

a negligible demand

Implies that the demand is so small it can almost be ignored.

a reduced obligation

Highlights the reduction of responsibility or duty.

a low priority

Indicates that the requirement isn't urgent or important.

a light ask

Replaces "need" with a colloquialism suggesting a simple or undemanding request.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minimal need" to indicate that something requires very little attention, resources, or effort. For example, "This plant has "a minimal need" for water".

What are some alternatives to "a minimal need"?

Alternatives include "a basic requirement", "a slight necessity", or "a limited requirement", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "minimal need" or "minimum need"?

"Minimal" generally refers to the smallest possible amount, while "minimum" often refers to a required threshold. "Minimal need" is generally preferred when discussing something requiring very little.

What's the difference between "a minimal need" and "a basic need"?

While both suggest a low level of requirement, "a minimal need" implies the absolute least amount necessary, whereas "a basic need" refers to something fundamental or essential for survival or function.