as a very minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a very minimum" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe the lowest possible amount or amount of time for something. For example, "You should spend at least 20 minutes a day studying for the exam, as a very minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The letter notes "our peoples hold as a very minimum the right to enjoy equal outcomes from social and economic advancements benefitting all Australians" and warns that other governments may be contemplating a similar service cut.

The Guardian

"As a very minimum a future code of conduct should: warn players to avoid potentially compromising situations which may become public and thus bring discredit on the players and the game; prohibit players from bringing unknown guests back to the team hotel without management approval; set limits on the amount of alcohol a player may drink; and make clear the limits of post-match entertainment.

The Guardian - Sport

The coalition says the budget must be frozen in real terms as a very minimum.

BBC

As a very minimum, an additional mirror should be used to establish eye contact between the assessor and the driver.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Analysis of B5 region by mutating residues in pair, triplet, and quadruple combinations at a time indicated the viable importance of Asp394, Ser396, Asn397, and Ser399 as the fitness score attained a very minimum value in comparison to other GOLD runs.

BioMed Research International

"At a very minimum, we believe that the cross-director representation should cease.

The Guardian - Business

Waste foods and grease are kept to a very minimum.

Los Angeles Times

"It is very profitable and has a very minimum risk," he said.

Los Angeles Times

"But we were already taking credit cards with iPhones, with a very minimum charge, 2.4percentt.

Vice

In the next section, we show an explicit family of algebraic codes that exhibit very strong cooperative local repair property, as well as a very high minimum distance.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"Last month, I announced that we were supporting a universal service level of 2 Mbps as the very minimum that should be available," said Mr Hunt at an industry conference on 15 July.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a very minimum", ensure the context clearly establishes what the standard or expectation is. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as a very minimum" to describe something that is already quite high. The phrase is best suited for setting a lower limit, not a target.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a very minimum" functions as an adverbial phrase to modify a verb or clause. It specifies the least acceptable amount or degree of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a very minimum" serves to specify the least acceptable level or requirement in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse sources, including news, science, and general web content. Alternatives include "at the bare minimum" or "at the very least". When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what the minimum refers to, and avoid using it when describing an upper limit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the very least

Indicates the minimum expectation or outcome, comparable to "as a very minimum" but with broader applicability.

at the bare minimum

Emphasizes the absolute lowest acceptable level, similar to "as a very minimum" but with a stronger sense of insufficiency.

as an absolute minimum

Highlights the non-negotiable nature of the minimum requirement, conveying a stricter sense of limitation compared to "as a very minimum".

at a baseline level

Specifies a basic standard or starting point, indicating a foundational requirement.

as a rudimentary level

Emphasizes the fundamental and basic nature of the minimum requirement, implying simplicity and lack of sophistication.

at the floor

Metaphorically represents the lowest permissible level, suggesting a boundary that cannot be crossed.

as a starting point

Suggests a beginning phase with the understanding that more will be required later, focusing on initiation rather than limitation.

at rock bottom

Implies reaching the lowest possible point, suggesting a dire situation where only minimal requirements are met.

at the entry level

Denotes the initial stage or requirement, particularly in hierarchical contexts, like career or skills

as a last resort

Indicates a final option when all others have failed, emphasizing desperation and limited choices.

FAQs

How can I use "as a very minimum" in a sentence?

Use "as a very minimum" to express the lowest acceptable limit or requirement for something. For example, "You should aim to exercise three times a week; "as a very minimum", twice will suffice."

What's the difference between "as a very minimum" and "at the very least"?

"As a very minimum" emphasizes the idea of a lower boundary or baseline. "At the very least" is similar but can also express a minimum expectation or outcome in a broader sense.

What are some alternatives to saying "as a very minimum"?

You can use phrases like "at the bare minimum", "at the very least", or "as an absolute minimum" depending on the specific context and level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "as a very minimum" formal or informal?

The phrase "as a very minimum" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It's more about clarity than formality.