a minimum of three animals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimum of three animals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a required number of animals in a context, such as rules, guidelines, or descriptions. Example: "To participate in the competition, each team must have a minimum of three animals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A minimum of three animals per genotype and time point were analyzed.

Plosone

For all GluR2-cKO animals, percentages were calculated from a minimum of three slices per animal and a minimum of three animals per group.

Plosone

To further investigate the disease process, we also examined bladder phenotypes in a minimum of three animals from each genotype at days 50, 100 and 125.

Plosone

A minimum of three animals was included in each group.

Cell and Bioscience

There was a minimum of three animals in each group.

British Journal of Cancer

Each experiment was repeated three times with a minimum of three animals per group.

Cell Host and Microbe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

With a one-sided significance level of 0.05 and a power of 92 %, a minimum of six animals per group were required.

Progress in Orthodontics

We studied a minimum of four animals per time-point.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

A minimum of five animals per experimental condition was analyzed.

Aging

All experiments were performed independently a minimum of three times, using a minimum of six animals in each experimental group.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Each group consisted of a minimum of five animals and up to a maximum of 10.

Cancer Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental design, specify the rationale for choosing "a minimum of three animals" to ensure reproducibility and statistical power.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimum of three animals" when the intention is to specify that exactly three animals were used. In such cases, simply state "three animals" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimum of three animals" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a lower limit for the number of animals used in a given context. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

90%

News & Media

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minimum of three animals" is a determiner phrase primarily used in formal and scientific contexts to specify the smallest acceptable number of animals. According to Ludwig, this expression commonly appears in scientific research to ensure statistical validity. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by distinguishing it from specifying an exact number. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing tasks, particularly in scientific and academic domains. Consider using alternatives like "at least three animals" or "no fewer than three animals" for variety, while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least three animals

Uses "at least" instead of "a minimum of" to convey the same meaning.

no less than three animals

Employs a slightly more formal tone by using "no less than" to indicate the quantity.

three or more animals

Offers a simpler way to express the minimum quantity required.

a bare minimum of three animals

Adds emphasis on the quantity being the lowest acceptable limit.

minimally three animals

Adverbial form specifying the minimum number of animals.

three animals minimum

Inverts the phrase structure for a slightly different emphasis.

three animals at the very least

More emphatic and descriptive alternative, highlighting the absolute minimum.

a trickle of three animals

This expression would be employed when referring to a small or limited number of animals.

at a base of three animals

This phrase is used to specify a foundational or starting number of animals in a study or group.

a low of three animals

This variation emphasizes that three is the lowest number of animals considered.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a minimum of three animals"?

Use "a minimum of three animals" when you need to specify the smallest acceptable number of animals in a study, experiment, or regulation. It indicates that the actual number can be three or more, but not less.

What are some alternatives to saying "a minimum of three animals"?

You can use alternatives like "at least three animals", "no fewer than three animals", or "three or more animals" depending on the context.

How does "a minimum of three animals" differ from "exactly three animals"?

"A minimum of three animals" means that the number must be three or greater. "Exactly three animals" means that the number must be three and not any other number. The phrase "exactly three animals" is more precise.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a minimum of three animal"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. Since you are referring to more than one animal, you must use the plural form, "animals". The correct phrase is "a minimum of three animals".