are almost minimal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are almost minimal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very close to being minimal, but not quite there. Example: "The changes we made to the design are almost minimal, yet they significantly improved the overall user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some examples are dramatic, like the sinuous nasturtium, with its looping tendrils, leaves and flowers filling the sheet; others, like the yellow vetchling and single narcissus, are almost minimal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The value of Nusselt number (Nu) is almost minimal at the inlet of the annular channel, and then sharply rises in the axial direction.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

However, the deterioration in AV is almost minimal (∼0.4 dB) for D-JLSiNT-FETs as compared to DS-JLSiNT-FETs but the deterioration in AV is aggravated to ∼22 dB for S-JLSiNT-FETs.

Superlattices and Microstructures

In contrast with organ-confined prostate tumors which are composed of a mixture of glandular epithelial, smooth muscle and other stromal cells, metastatic tissue samples are almost exclusively epithelial, with minimal supporting stroma and absence of smooth muscle.

BMC Cancer

In the pastures in which these studies were conducted (55°N), there were minimal amounts of clover, even after several years of treatment with sludge; therefore, any contribution of this source to our study is almost certainly minimal.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The arthritis was almost settled, and minimal tenderness elicited in the wrists and small joints of the hands.

Clinical Rheumatology

The plateau was almost constant with minimal decrease, even during a pressure cycle of 2 min. This suggests that after the spike, no further fluid displacement occurred.

Acta Orthopaedica

This increased incidence was almost entirely due to minimal, stage 1 disease.

Harvard University

Although the abrasivity of toothbrushing alone to enamel is almost certainly negligible, and minimal to dentin, features of the toothbrush head and filament stiffness can modify the abrasivity of toothpastes [ 107, 108] and force of brushing [ 109] in a normal twice-a-day brushing regimen in vitro studies [ 95, 103, 105, 110].

Clinical Oral Investigations

Although damage to the island was minimal, communication is almost non-existent as electricity and internet have been badly affected.

The Guardian - Travel

There is almost no selection; fees are minimal; classes are gigantic; and the first year failure rate is five times higher than in Britain.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are almost minimal", ensure the context clarifies what "minimal" refers to. For example, "The risks involved are almost minimal, considering the potential benefits."

Common error

Avoid using "are almost minimal" when the subject is entirely absent or non-existent. "Almost minimal" implies that there is still some degree of something present, however small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are almost minimal" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating the extent or degree of a particular attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different domains. It suggests a state that is very near to being minimal, but not entirely so.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are almost minimal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that is very close to being at its smallest possible extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides multiple examples across varied sources. Its frequency is common across different type of sources, especially in the science and news domains. The related phrases and writing guidance provided aim to help writers use the phrase more effectively, avoiding common errors, and creating clear and concise content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are just about minimal

Adds emphasis to how close something is to being minimal.

are nearly negligible

Replaces 'minimal' with 'negligible', emphasizing insignificance.

are practically non-existent

Indicates something is so small it's as if it doesn't exist.

are next to nothing

Describes something that is very little or has very little value.

are virtually absent

Highlights near-complete lack of something.

are just about at the lowest level

Specifies something is close to being at its absolute lowest.

are close to none

Simple way to say very few or little.

are bordering on insignificant

Emphasizes that something is almost insignificant.

are on the low end

Indicates the bottom range of possible values.

are scant

Describes something that is insufficient or barely adequate.

FAQs

What does "are almost minimal" mean?

The phrase "are almost minimal" suggests that something is very close to being at its smallest possible level or degree, but not quite. It implies that while the quantity, impact, or significance is small, it is still present to some extent.

How can I use "are almost minimal" in a sentence?

You can use "are almost minimal" to describe things like risks, costs, or efforts. For example: "The side effects /s/are+nearly+negligible are almost minimal" or "The costs /s/are+practically+non-existent are almost minimal compared to the profits".

What's the difference between "are almost minimal" and "are minimal"?

"Are minimal" indicates that something is at its smallest possible level, while "are almost minimal" suggests it's very close to that level but not quite there yet. There is a subtle difference that indicates "are almost minimal" is on the way to be absolutely minimal.

What can I say instead of "are almost minimal"?

You can use alternatives like "are nearly negligible", "are practically non-existent", or "are virtually absent" depending on the specific context.