absolute minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

“absolute minimum” is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the smallest or least amount of something necessary. For example, “We want to keep costs to an absolute minimum.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Absolute minimum: four dogs.

The New York Times - Travel

He said the absolute minimum.

The New York Times

"Seventy million killed at the absolute minimum.

The Guardian - Books

This should be an absolute minimum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Need 200 choices by the glass, absolute minimum?

The New York Times - Travel

Money and material belongings were at an absolute minimum.

The New York Times

The President: You know we did the absolute minimum, Vladimir.

The New York Times

"What is the absolute minimum needed?" he asked.

The Guardian

But this is the absolute minimum of democracy's meaning.

The Guardian - Tech

What's the absolute minimum of device-side functionality?

Harvard University

Aim for an absolute minimum of 8 hours sleep.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absolute minimum", ensure the context clearly defines what is being minimized and why it's crucial to do so. For example, "Keep travel expenses to an absolute minimum to maximize profits."

Common error

Avoid using "absolute minimum" when referring to a general estimate or suggestion. The phrase implies a hard limit, so it's misleading if there's flexibility. Use "minimum" instead if some flexibility is allowed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolute minimum" functions as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally to modify another noun. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and common phrase. It denotes the smallest possible quantity, degree, or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolute minimum" is a correct and widely used expression to denote the smallest possible amount or degree, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adjective to emphasize a lower limit or requirement. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using "absolute minimum", ensure clarity and avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives like "bare minimum" or "essential minimum" based on the specific context. The phrase is commonly employed to set constraints, define expectations, and express the lowest acceptable limit across various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bare minimum

Indicates the least possible amount needed to satisfy a requirement.

rock-bottom minimum

Emphasizes that the minimum is extremely low.

utter minimum

Highlights the completeness of the minimum

indispensable minimum

Stresses that the minimum is essential and cannot be reduced further.

essential minimum

Similar to indispensable, it highlights the necessity of the minimum.

lowest possible limit

Rephrases the concept as a boundary that cannot be crossed.

minimum necessary

Focuses on what is strictly required and nothing more.

least conceivable amount

Highlights how improbable something can be smaller than that.

irreducible minimum

Highlights that the minimum is already at the smallest extent possible.

strict minimum

Highlights a standard minimum.

FAQs

How can I use "absolute minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "absolute minimum" to describe the smallest possible amount or degree of something that is acceptable or required. For example, "The "bare minimum" needed to pass the test is 70%."

What's a good substitute for the phrase "absolute minimum"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "bare minimum", "essential minimum", or "lowest possible limit" could be appropriate.

Is it redundant to say "absolute bare minimum"?

Yes, "absolute bare minimum" is generally considered redundant because both "absolute" and "bare" emphasize the lowest possible amount. Stick to either "absolute minimum" or "bare minimum" for clarity.

When should I use "absolute minimum" instead of just "minimum"?

Use "absolute minimum" when you want to stress that there's no room for further reduction or compromise. "Minimum" is suitable when there's some flexibility or it's a general guideline.