a minimal number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal number" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to an amount or quantity that is considered to be the least amount necessary. Example Sentence: We only had a minimal number of supplies, so we had to ration them carefully.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

with a minimal number of tools.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Small cities such as Zurich with a minimal number of tourist attractions are recommended.

The Guardian - Travel

The data have been fitted with a minimal number of Li sites: Li1, Li2 and Li3.

Nature

European pros have a choice: join the US Tour, or be restricted to a minimal number of its tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

Dr. Church said there might be an alternative approach that would "alarm a minimal number of people".

The New York Times - Science

On the night the 737 arrived the authorities asked for a minimal number of staff in the control tower.

The Guardian

The resulting models contain a minimal number of parameters; identification of their values is straightforward.

Metabolic Engineering

The kinetic model included coupled mass balances and a minimal number of parameters.

New Biotechnology

Then, a minimal number of recovery transitions are obtained by solving one ILPP only.

Information Sciences

FFFs are defined by a minimal number of highly conserved residues and their three-dimensional arrangement.

Journal of Molecular Biology

The Tri-pyramid Robot is constrained and realized by a minimal number of 1-DOF joints.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity or efficiency, using "a minimal number" can clearly convey that the quantity is reduced to the necessary or essential amount. This emphasizes optimization and avoidance of excess.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimal number" when you actually mean the quantity is negligible or unimportant. "Minimal" implies that the number, though small, is sufficient for a specific purpose, whereas "insignificant" suggests it has little to no impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It modifies the noun to indicate a quantity that is reduced to the smallest or most essential amount. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimal number" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a quantity reduced to the necessary minimum. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including science, news, and formal communication. While alternatives like "a small number" and "a limited quantity" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure you're emphasizing sufficiency rather than insignificance. The frequency analysis reveals its common usage in scientific and news media, reinforcing its adaptability in expressing efficiency and optimization. Keep in mind that although this phrase is commonly used across all kinds of texts, a more suitable alternative could exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number

This alternative is less formal and emphasizes the reduced quantity.

a scant few

This alternative emphasizes the scarcity and insufficiency of the number.

a handful

This alternative suggests a small quantity that can be easily managed or counted.

a trifling amount

This alternative highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

a mere handful

This alternative emphasizes the insignificance and smallness of the number.

a limited quantity

This alternative emphasizes the restriction and limited availability of the number.

a restricted amount

This alternative stresses the constrained or controlled nature of the number.

a negligible quantity

This alternative emphasizes that the quantity is so small that it can be disregarded.

a symbolic number

Suggests the amount is small to the point of being representative or illustrative rather than practically significant.

a reduced amount

This alternative simply indicates that the amount has been decreased.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minimal number" to indicate that something has been reduced to the smallest necessary quantity. For example, "We aim to achieve results with "a minimal number" of errors".

What's a good alternative to "a minimal number"?

Alternatives include "a small number", "a handful", or "a limited quantity". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a minimal number" or "the least number"?

"A minimal number" suggests a practical minimum sufficient for a task, while "the least number" indicates an absolute minimum. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing sufficiency or strict reduction.

What's the difference between "a minimal number" and "a negligible number"?

"A minimal number" means the smallest amount needed for something to function or be effective. "A negligible number"/s/a+negligible+number, on the other hand, implies the amount is so small it's essentially insignificant and can be disregarded.