at a bare minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a bare minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate something is the least that should be done or accepted within a particular situation. For example: "The project must be completed by the end of the month, at a bare minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

At a bare minimum, about a dozen of those Democrats would have to come along.

The New York Times

He keeps the rest period at a bare minimum, and he pounds it and he's disciplined".

The New York Times - Sports

Jokes fall flat, comedy is overly broad and nuance is at a bare minimum.

The Guardian - Film

We think at a bare minimum a consumer should be aware of it".

The New York Times

Yes, these are awful things that people should, at a bare minimum, be bloody well be angry about.

The Guardian

He was, at a bare minimum, the eighth, following Lincoln, Grant, the two Roosevelts, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, and Carter.

The New Yorker

As for the other three, I agree, but common sense should tell you that much at a bare minimum.

The New Yorker

Democracy, at a bare minimum, means leaders inform and listen to the public before committing the nation to war.

The Guardian - Opinion

Witness poetry also made ethical claims on its readers, who were asked to recognize, at a bare minimum, "that-which-happened".

The New Yorker

"Hospitals are working at a bare minimum to meet the needs of patients," said Dr. Mohammad N. Akhter, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

The New York Times

"You can spend $50 to $75 a square foot at a bare minimum just to make these spaces habitable," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a bare minimum" to clearly set the lowest acceptable standard in requirements, expectations or actions. It helps avoid ambiguity by defining the essential, non-negotiable baseline.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "at a bare minimum". While useful for clarity, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "at the very least" or "as a minimum" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a bare minimum" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It typically indicates the lowest acceptable level or requirement for something, as demonstrated by the examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a bare minimum" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that serves to establish a baseline or the lowest acceptable standard. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to formal writing. While highly effective for clarity, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "at the very least" or "as a minimum" for varied expression. The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in conveying essential requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a minimum

Omits "bare" for a slightly more concise expression, maintaining the core meaning.

at the very least

Replaces "bare minimum" with "very least" for emphasis on the minimal requirement.

at an absolute minimum

Adds "absolute" for stronger emphasis on the minimal nature of the requirement.

at the barest minimum

Emphasizes the extremely low level of the minimum requirement.

as an irreducible minimum

A more formal way to express that the minimum cannot be reduced further.

at rock bottom

Figurative expression indicating the lowest possible level.

to say the least

Emphasizes understatement, implying the actual situation is even more significant.

in the slightest degree

Highlights the small extent of something considered.

as a lower limit

Focuses on establishing a boundary that should not be crossed.

at base level

Indicates the basic or fundamental standard to be met.

FAQs

How can I use "at a bare minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "at a bare minimum" to express the lowest acceptable level or requirement for something. For example, "The project needs to be completed by next week, "at a bare minimum"".

What are some alternatives to "at a bare minimum"?

Some alternatives to "at a bare minimum" include "at the very least", "as a minimum", or "at the lowest". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "at a bare minimum" or "at the bare minimum"?

"At a bare minimum" is generally preferred over "at the bare minimum". The indefinite article "a" makes it more idiomatic and natural-sounding in most contexts.

In what situations is it best to use "at a bare minimum"?

It is best to use "at a bare minimum" when you want to clearly define the absolute lowest level of something that is acceptable or required, often in situations involving standards, expectations, or requirements. It conveys a sense of essentiality and non-negotiability.