a minimum wage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimum wage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the lowest legal hourly pay that employers can offer to workers. Example: "The government has proposed an increase to a minimum wage to help workers keep up with the rising cost of living."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A minimum wage was introduced.

The Economist

A minimum wage.

The Guardian

Strong support for a minimum wage increase".

The New York Times

Every worker is guaranteed a minimum wage.

The Guardian

But a minimum wage could be a two-edged sword.

The Economist

Yes on combatting AIDS, no on a minimum wage hike.

The New York Times

Workers, who must, I imagine be paid a minimum wage.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"You could make better than a minimum-wage job".

The New York Times

Dignity Political Scene: Who Wants a Minimum-Wage Increase?

The New Yorker

The House bill does not have a minimum-wage provision.

The New York Times

And writing is a minimum-wage job for most writers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the economic impact of labor costs, use "a minimum wage" to refer to the legally mandated lowest hourly rate an employer can pay. For example, "Raising "a minimum wage" can affect small businesses differently than large corporations."

Common error

Avoid using "a minimum wage" interchangeably with "a living wage". "A minimum wage" is the legally mandated lowest pay, while a "living wage" is a theoretical calculation of the income needed to cover basic living expenses in a specific area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimum wage" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to the lowest hourly compensation that employers are legally required to pay their employees. Ludwig AI analysis confirms widespread use in various contexts, highlighting its role in discussions about labor economics and policy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minimum wage" is a noun phrase denoting the legally mandated lowest hourly compensation for employees. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. While grammatically correct, it is important to distinguish between "a minimum wage" and "a living wage", as the latter represents the income needed to cover basic living expenses, which is generally higher. Be mindful when writing content with "a minimum wage" in economic or social contexts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimum salary

Replaces "wage" with "salary", implying a fixed regular payment, often monthly or annually, rather than hourly.

a living wage

Indicates a wage sufficient to cover basic living expenses, implying a higher standard than just the legal minimum.

a minimum pay

Uses "pay" as a more general term for compensation, encompassing wages and salaries.

a basic wage

Highlights the fundamental or essential nature of the wage.

a minimum compensation

Replaces "wage" with "compensation", a broader term that includes benefits and other forms of payment.

a minimum earnings

Focuses on the total income earned, rather than the hourly rate.

a statutory minimum wage

Specifies that the minimum wage is set by law or statute.

a legally required wage

Emphasizes the legal obligation to pay at least the minimum wage.

a fair minimum wage

Adds a subjective element of fairness to the concept of the minimum wage.

a minimum hourly rate

Explicitly states that the minimum wage is calculated on an hourly basis.

FAQs

How is "a minimum wage" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a minimum wage" usually functions as a noun phrase. For instance, "The government is debating whether to increase "a minimum wage"" or "Many workers earn only "a minimum wage"".

What's the difference between "a minimum wage" and "a living wage"?

"A minimum wage" is the legally mandated lowest hourly pay, while "a living wage" is the amount needed to cover basic living expenses in a specific area. The "living wage" is generally higher than "a minimum wage".

Which is correct, "a minimum wage" or "the minimum wage"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A minimum wage" refers to the general concept or an instance of a minimum wage, while "the minimum wage" refers to the specific minimum wage set by a particular jurisdiction or law.

What are some common arguments for and against raising "a minimum wage"?

Arguments for raising "a minimum wage" include reducing poverty and stimulating the economy. Arguments against include potential job losses and increased prices.