are kept to a minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are kept to a minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance of limiting something, such as costs, risks, or errors, to a small amount. Example: "To ensure the project's success, we must ensure that expenses are kept to a minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And protuberances are kept to a minimum.

The Economist

Investment constraints are kept to a minimum.

The Economist

Services are kept to a minimum.

The Guardian - Arts

No secrets here: gadgets are kept to a minimum.

The New York Times - Magazine

And because the money is invested in index funds, costs are kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

Interruptions are kept to a minimum -- talking out of turn elicits the border-collie look.

The New York Times - Magazine

So advertising appearances by Mr. Davis himself are kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

Lead roles are kept to a minimum so everyone gets a share of the limelight.

The Guardian - Travel

Luckily, pieties are kept to a minimum when the interview subjects begin ruminating.

The New York Times

It helps the cohesion when broken bones are kept to a minimum, of course.

The New York Times - Sports

Wind and road noise are kept to a minimum, adding to the serene air.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "are kept to a minimum" to clearly communicate the intention of limiting something, such as expenses or risks, in a formal or neutral context.

Common error

While "are kept to a minimum" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider active voice alternatives like "we minimize" or "we reduce" for a more direct and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are kept to a minimum" functions as a predicate in a passive construction, indicating that a particular element is being actively controlled or limited to the smallest possible degree. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are kept to a minimum" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying the intention to reduce something to the smallest possible extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to assure audiences of efforts to control undesirable elements like costs or risks, lending itself well to neutral to formal contexts such as news, science, and business. While effective, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of passive voice and consider active alternatives when appropriate. By being aware of these nuances, you can confidently and effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are minimized

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more concise verb.

are reduced to the lowest level

Emphasizes the extent of the reduction, making it more explicit.

are kept under control

Highlights the aspect of maintaining a managed state.

are held down

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the idea of suppression or control.

are limited

Simply states that there is a restriction on the quantity or degree.

are curtailed

Implies a restriction or limitation imposed on something.

are restrained

Focuses on the action of holding something back from its full potential.

are suppressed

Suggests that something is being actively prevented from increasing.

are checked

Implies a monitoring process to ensure something does not exceed a certain limit.

are diminished

Conveys a gradual reduction in size, extent, or importance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are kept to a minimum" to sound more active?

To make the phrase more active, you can use alternatives like "we minimize", "we reduce", or "we limit", depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "Errors "are kept to a minimum"", you could say "we minimize errors".

What does "are kept to a minimum" mean?

The phrase "are kept to a minimum" means that something is being reduced or limited as much as possible. It emphasizes the intention to maintain a low level or quantity of something.

Is "are kept to a minimum" formal or informal?

The phrase "are kept to a minimum" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for business, news, and academic writing. In very informal contexts, simpler phrasing might be preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "are kept to a minimum" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "are kept to a minimum" when you want to emphasize the importance of limiting or reducing something. For example, "Costs "are kept to a minimum" to ensure profitability" or "Risks "are kept to a minimum" through rigorous testing".