an adequate minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an adequate minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a baseline standard or requirement that is considered sufficient for a particular purpose. Example: "The committee agreed that an adequate minimum of resources should be allocated to ensure the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

(Responds Chuck Marr of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "It takes both a strong EITC and an adequate minimum wage to ensure that work 'pays' adequately for those in low-wage jobs.

Los Angeles Times

Start with an adequate minimum wage.

The New York Times

For them, and for the broader economy, an adequate minimum wage can help ensure fair pay and stimulate the economy by putting more money in consumers' wallets.

The New York Times

Sir Edward Garnier, a former solicitor general, warned that without an adequate minimum fee for barristers "there could be a flight from the Bar", depriving the courts of those who might have gone on to become judges.

The Guardian

In saying that the state did not have to give more money to the city's Board of Education, the appeals court said that a junior high school education was an adequate minimum standard, a conclusion Mr. McCall took issue with.

The New York Times

The algorithm is focused on finding the radial distribution of the fuel rods having different fissile and burnable poison contents in order to obtain: (1) an adequate minimum PPF; (2) a prescribed target value of the k at the end of the irradiation; and (3) a prescribed target value of the k at the beginning of the irradiation.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Further, it is unclear whether a linear relationship would be expected to exist between amount of practice and observed benefits, or whether in fact once a threshold, or adequate minimum 'dose' of practice is reached, this is sufficient to produce change, at least in the context of relatively short and intensive MBIs.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Not surprisingly, following the maximin rule of choice results in choice of the principles of justice over the principles of utility (average or aggregate); for unlike utilitarianism, justice as fairness guarantees equal basic liberties, fair equal opportunities, and an adequate social minimum for all citizens.

SEP

In a third participant, the surgeon failed to obtain adequate minimum primary stability (<20 N cm) of one of the implants.

Clinical Oral Implants Research

"Symmetrical rebalancing" requires structural measures in stronger countries, such as allowing wages to catch up with productivity and adequate minimum wages to prevent in-work poverty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Assuming a loss to follow-up of 10%to20%0%, a total recruitment of 51 subjects per group (total n = 153) was necessary to ensure adequate minimum sample size.

BMC Oral Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an adequate minimum", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'adequate' for the situation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an adequate minimum" when a higher standard is expected. This phrase implies the lowest acceptable level, not excellence or superiority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an adequate minimum" functions as a noun phrase, where "adequate" modifies the noun "minimum". It describes a baseline level that is considered sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an adequate minimum" is a phrase used to describe the lowest acceptable level or standard for a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, predominantly in science, news, and formal business settings. While it isn't highly frequent, its usage is consistent. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define 'adequate' to avoid ambiguity and consider whether a higher standard than the bare minimum is warranted. Alternatives like ""a sufficient minimum"" or ""a reasonable minimum"" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sufficient minimum

Replaces "adequate" with "sufficient", indicating just enough to meet a requirement.

a satisfactory minimum

Substitutes "adequate" with "satisfactory", implying a level that meets expectations.

an acceptable minimum

Replaces "adequate" with "acceptable", suggesting the lowest permissible level.

a reasonable minimum

Uses "reasonable" instead of "adequate", conveying a fair and sensible lower limit.

a bare minimum

Emphasizes the lowest possible acceptable level by using "bare".

a basic minimum

Indicates the fundamental lower limit, using "basic" as a substitute for "adequate".

a suitable minimum

Replaces "adequate" with "suitable", implying appropriateness for a specific purpose.

a threshold minimum

Highlights the idea of a boundary using the word "threshold".

a qualifying minimum

Suggests the minimum needed to meet the qualifications, using "qualifying" instead of "adequate".

a requisite minimum

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the minimum, using "requisite" instead of "adequate".

FAQs

How can I use "an adequate minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "an adequate minimum" to describe a baseline requirement or standard that is considered sufficient. For example, "The budget provides an adequate minimum for basic services".

What phrases are similar to "an adequate minimum"?

Similar phrases include "a sufficient minimum", "a satisfactory minimum", or "a reasonable minimum".

Is it better to aim for just "an adequate minimum" or a higher standard?

Whether to aim for "an adequate minimum" or a higher standard depends on the context. "An adequate minimum" is appropriate when resources are limited or when meeting the basic requirement is sufficient. However, striving for a higher standard is often desirable for better outcomes.

What is the difference between "an adequate minimum" and "an optimal minimum"?

"An adequate minimum" refers to the lowest acceptable level, while "an optimal minimum" refers to the best possible lowest level. Optimal implies that while something is still at its lowest, it's also at its most efficient or effective.