a minimal set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal set" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the smallest number of items or elements needed to achieve a particular purpose or function. Example: "In order to complete the project efficiently, we only need a minimal set of tools."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Venter and his colleagues then removed genes one by one to find a minimal set that could sustain life.

The New Yorker

Harry Feiner has designed a minimal set — sheaflike bundles of wooden strips flanking a small platform — that helps give the action a spatial clarity.

The New York Times

Throw in me, the playwright and the producer, and that's nearly 20 people -- all working free -- to put on an hourlong show with a minimal set.

The New York Times

Forcing insurance companies to offer better coverage – and a minimal set of benefits with no trapdoors for consumers – is an unqualified good.

The Guardian - Opinion

The extension defined a minimal set of non-functional attributes of parallel components.

Procedia Computer Science

The best solutions provided well-designed target models with a minimal set of rules.

Advances in Computers

Similar to the physical world, a minimal set of data is required to initiate social interaction.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

The Choleski decomposition imposes a minimal set of assumptions to identify our system.

SERIEs

Conventions specify a minimal set of elements and document structure that a community has agreed to.

Journal of Cheminformatics

When you shell out around $1,000 for a monitor, it ought to ship with a minimal set of expectations.

TechCrunch

Moreover, for some sets K we find a minimal set L for which Wmax(K ⊆Wmin(L).

Journal of Functional Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity and efficiency, "a minimal set" is ideal for describing the most crucial elements required for a task or system. Use it when you want to convey that only the essentials are included, nothing more.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not emphasizing the 'minimal' aspect too heavily. Saying "the absolutely most minimal set" is usually unnecessary. The phrase "a minimal set" already implies the fewest possible elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal set" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a collection that is reduced to its most essential elements. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimal set" is a versatile phrase used to denote a collection containing only the most essential items or elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like science, news, and business. While generally neutral to formal, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by overemphasizing the 'minimal' aspect. Consider alternatives like "a basic set" or "an essential set" to fine-tune the specific meaning. When writing, remember that the phrase already implies the fewest possible elements, so adding unnecessary qualifiers is often redundant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic set

Replaces 'minimal' with 'basic', implying a focus on essential elements rather than the absolute fewest.

an essential set

Substitutes 'minimal' with 'essential', emphasizing the necessity of the included elements.

a core set

Replaces 'minimal' with 'core', suggesting a central and indispensable group of items.

a limited set

Uses 'limited' instead of 'minimal', focusing on the small quantity or restricted nature of the set.

a fundamental set

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the set, highlighting its importance as a basis for something more complex.

a reduced set

Suggests that the set has been made smaller or simplified.

a trimmed-down set

Implies that the set has been carefully reduced to its most necessary components.

a streamlined set

Highlights the efficiency and simplicity of the set.

a bare minimum set

Adds emphasis to the idea that it contains the very least needed.

a concise set

Focuses on the brevity and lack of unnecessary elements in the set.

FAQs

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

Use "a minimal set" to describe the smallest number of items or elements needed for a specific purpose. For instance, "We only need "a minimal set" of tools to complete the project."

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

Alternatives include "a basic set", "an essential set", or "a core set", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say 'the most minimal set'?

Yes, using "most" with "minimal" is generally redundant. "Minimal" already implies the least possible amount, so saying ""a minimal set"" is sufficient.

When is it appropriate to use "a minimal set"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that only the most necessary items or elements are included, with no extras or non-essential components.