a minimum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a minimum of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the smallest amount or number of something that is acceptable or necessary. For example: A successful candidate for this position must have a minimum of 5 years of experience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A minimum of 75," she said.

The New York Times

You need a minimum of commonalities.

The Economist

There is a minimum of fuss.

The Economist

A minimum of 350.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a minimum of modular scenery.

The New York Times

A minimum of two people is required.

The New York Times - Travel

"There was a minimum of two mistakes".

The Guardian - Sport

It takes a minimum of five years.

The New York Times - Health

There was a minimum of fire extinguishers.

The New York Times

"I used a minimum of sunblock.

The New York Times

Take a minimum of three days here.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting requirements, use "a minimum of" followed by a specific, quantifiable value. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimum of" without a specific number or quantity. Saying "we need a minimum" is incomplete; clarify with "a minimum of three participants" for effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimum of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its use to specify a lower limit or the smallest acceptable quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimum of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to establish a lower limit or requirement. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts, with frequent use in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure you specify a clear, quantifiable value to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "at least" exist, "a minimum of" provides a slightly more formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic communication. The phrase enjoys very common frequency, indicating its widespread acceptance and use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least

This is a direct and commonly used alternative, indicating the lowest acceptable quantity.

no less than

This alternative provides emphasis and implies a firm lower bound.

as a minimum

This emphasizes that the stated quantity is the absolute lowest acceptable.

at the very least

Adding "very" to "at least" intensifies the minimum requirement.

a lower limit of

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the concept of a boundary.

a floor of

This phrase is often used in economics or finance to indicate a minimum price or value.

a baseline of

This suggests a starting point or foundation amount.

the bare minimum

This phrase emphasizes that only the absolute essential amount is required.

a threshold of

This alternative emphasizes a point that must be exceeded to achieve a certain outcome.

as little as

Expresses the minimum amount as potentially small or surprisingly low.

FAQs

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

Use "a minimum of" to indicate the smallest acceptable or required quantity. For example, "You need "a minimum of two" years of experience for this role."

What are some alternatives to "a minimum of"?

You can use phrases such as "at least", "no less than", or "as a minimum" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "a minimum of" or "at least"?

"A minimum of" and "at least" are generally interchangeable. However, "a minimum of" might be perceived as slightly more formal in certain contexts.

When should I use "a minimum of" versus "the minimum amount of"?

"A minimum of" is typically followed by a specific number or quantity, while "the minimum amount of" is generally used when referring to a general quantity. For example, "a minimum of 500 cells" vs. "the minimum amount of funding needed."