a minimal requirement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal requirement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the least amount of something that is necessary or needed for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "To apply for the job, a minimal requirement is a bachelor's degree in the relevant field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

A rule of thumb is that 50 observations are a minimal requirement for ARIMA models, 37 whereas SARIMA models require longer time series.

BMJ Open

"It is a minimal requirement.

The New York Times

Empathy is a minimal requirement of human decency, not one that should be directed by a political party".

The New York Times

It was of a line with his equally bizarre notion that owning a country club that doesn't actively discriminate against black people is not a minimal requirement of law but a positive achievement of the owner.

The New Yorker

Correspondence theorists tend to regard this as a (minimal) requirement.

SEP

We also provide counterexamples showing a∈BV to be in a sense a minimal requirement.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Yet it seems at least a legitimate minimal requirement for a compelling solution (if any exists) that it implies both.

SEP

Levenbook's view is that this approach gives coherence too modest a role to play in legal reasoning; once a very minimal requirement of coherence is met, this value is too easily defeasible by other considerations.

SEP

The order of the ability of these cell lines to proliferate in an L-methionine-depleted medium containing 0.1 mM L-homocysteine parallels the minimal concentration of L-methionine required for optimal growth; L-methionine auxotrophs having a greater minimal requirement.

British Journal of Cancer

That is a fairly minimal requirement, but even such minimal requirements are not always followed.

Huffington Post

In our opinion, coverage of at least 70% appears to be a very minimal requirement.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a minimal requirement", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes 'minimal' within the given situation. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimal requirement" when a stronger, more critical demand is actually implied. For example, if safety is paramount, avoid describing safety protocols as "a minimal requirement"; instead, emphasize their crucial nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal requirement" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or an object complement. It specifies the lowest acceptable condition or level that must be met. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minimal requirement" is grammatically sound and widely used across various domains, particularly in science, news media, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and its communicative purpose is to define a lower threshold or essential condition. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express this concept, while writing guidance ensures clarity and avoids overstating its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic necessity

Replaces "requirement" with a word implying fundamental need, often related to survival or functionality.

a minimum standard

Focuses on an acceptable threshold rather than a strict necessity.

an essential prerequisite

Highlights the condition that must be met before something else can happen.

a fundamental condition

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the requirement.

the bare minimum

Implies doing only what is absolutely necessary.

a threshold criterion

Replaces "requirement" with a more technical term implying a boundary to surpass.

a lower bound

Mathematically inclined, signifying smallest acceptable value.

a baseline expectation

Stresses the initial level of anticipation for a certain aspect.

a modest demand

Underscores the easiness or feasibility of compliance.

a lenient stipulation

Highlights the flexible or tolerant nature of the demand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minimal requirement" to indicate the least amount or condition necessary for something. For example, "A high school diploma is "a minimal requirement" for this job."

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

"A minimal requirement" suggests the absolute least that is needed, while "a basic requirement" implies something fundamental but not necessarily the bare minimum.

What are some alternatives to "a minimal requirement"?

Alternatives include "a basic necessity", "a minimum standard", or "an essential prerequisite", depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "a minimal requirement" in formal writing?

Yes, ""a minimal requirement"" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing, particularly when specifying the lower limit of what is acceptable or necessary.