a minimum number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a minimum number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the smallest amount of something necessary for a particular purpose. For example: "There is a minimum number of participants required in order to run this workshop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A minimum number of floors?

The Guardian - Money

We need a minimum number of farmers.

The New York Times

QUESTIONER: Have you decided on a minimum number of games?

The New York Times

The method requires a minimum number of simple sensors.

Acta Astronautica

Because of how the electoral college is structured, even small states get a minimum number of electors (just as they get a minimum number of senators and representatives).

The Washington Post

All have loyalty schemes - some involve a fee, some a minimum number of crossings.

The Guardian - Travel

But those figures likely represent a minimum number of victims, Shamdasani said.

The Guardian

If no show gets a minimum number of votes, there will be no winner at all.

The New York Times

must be in attendance, along with a minimum number of total players per section.

The New York Times - Arts

In a number of those countries, quotas set a minimum number of women in the legislature.

The New Yorker

Forcing new grammars to admit a minimum number of disadvantaged students is not the answer, either.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying requirements or conditions, use "a minimum number of" to clearly indicate the lowest acceptable quantity. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures that expectations are clearly defined.

Common error

Avoid omitting the word "of" after "number". It's grammatically incorrect to say "a minimum number students"; instead, use "a minimum number of students" to ensure proper phrasing and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimum number of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to specify the lowest acceptable quantity or amount necessary for something. For instance, "a minimum number of participants" is required.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimum number of" is a versatile phrase used to denote the smallest acceptable quantity in various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. Remember to always include "of" after "number" to ensure grammatical correctness. Using related phrases like "a required number of" or "at least" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity. The phrase is found across authoritative sources, highlighting its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a required number of

Replaces "minimum" with "required", emphasizing necessity.

a threshold number of

Substitutes "minimum" with "threshold", indicating a level that must be reached.

a qualifying number of

Replaces "minimum" with "qualifying", highlighting that the number meets a certain requirement.

the lowest number of

Uses "lowest" instead of "minimum", focusing on the bottom end of a range.

at least a certain amount of

Uses "at least" to emphasize the lower boundary.

a baseline number of

Replaces "minimum" with "baseline", suggesting a standard for comparison.

an essential quantity of

Substitutes "minimum number" with "essential quantity", stressing importance.

a limited quantity of

Shifts focus to the limited aspect while retaining the idea of a lower bound.

a restricted amount of

Emphasizes the restriction associated with the minimum.

a floor of

Implies a lower boundary or limit, using a metaphorical term.

FAQs

How do I use "a minimum number of" in a sentence?

Use "a minimum number of" when you want to specify the smallest acceptable quantity or amount of something. For instance, "There must be "a minimum number of players" to start the game".

What are some alternatives to "a minimum number of"?

You can use phrases like "a required number of", "a threshold number of", or "at least" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "minimum number" without "a" and "of"?

While "minimum number" can be used as part of a compound adjective (e.g., "minimum number requirement"), it's generally more grammatically correct and clearer to use the full phrase "a minimum number of" when specifying a quantity.

What's the difference between "a minimum number of" and "a maximum number of"?

"A minimum number of" specifies the smallest acceptable quantity, while "a maximum number of" specifies the largest acceptable quantity. They represent opposite ends of a permitted range.