at least annually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at least annually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should occur a minimum of once a year. Example: "The company will conduct performance reviews at least annually to ensure employee development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The EBRD said its staff visit Kumtor "at least annually" but that "given the remote location of the mine, it is not always possible to visit local communities".

The Guardian

Rather, good will is to be tested at least annually, to see if it is impaired.

The New York Times

The secretary's travel and entertainment expenses will be subject to review by an audit and review committee that will report to the board at least annually.

The New York Times - Arts

I used to read it aloud to the family at least annually and rarely could get all the way through without breaking up.

The New York Times

Around half undergo regular resuscitation trainings, and among them 80% do so at least annually.

Annals of Intensive Care

A qualified operator should perform a media fill at least annually (FDA Guidance).

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

–Do we evaluate these candidates at least annually on each of the dimensions above?

Forbes

The standard of care for progressive glaucoma that requires medical or surgical intervention includes visual field (VF) testing at least annually.

Ophthalmology

In order to maintain the acquired skills optimally, it is our opinion that simulator assessment (eventually followed by training) should be repeated at least annually.

Gynecological Surgery

This should take place at least annually, and whenever there is major change in the project, e.g. shift from construction to operation phase.

Forest Ecosystems

Disease and complaint-specific protocols of care and OU policy manuals are available and updated at least annually in almost every site except one hospital in Asia.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at least annually" to clearly communicate a minimum frequency of once per year. This phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts where clarity is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "annually" when you mean "at least annually". "Annually" implies something happens exactly once a year, while "at least annually" indicates it happens one or more times per year.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least annually" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the minimum frequency with which an action or event should occur. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys that something should happen once a year or more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at least annually" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a minimum frequency of once per year. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage make it suitable for various contexts, especially in scientific, news, and formal settings. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a minimum frequency; the action may occur more often. Avoid confusing it with "annually", which means exactly once a year. The phrase is found to be "Very common". Alternatives include "once a year or more" and "yearly as a minimum". This expression enjoys high source quality scores, further reinforcing its credibility and utility in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once a year or more

Emphasizes the possibility of more frequent occurrences.

yearly as a minimum

Highlights the yearly frequency as a lower bound.

on a minimum annual basis

More formal, emphasizing the annual timeframe and its minimal frequency.

at a minimum of once per year

Adds emphasis to the minimum frequency with a more explicit wording.

not less than once each year

A more formal phrasing emphasizing the minimum requirement.

at the very least once a year

Adds emphasis on the bare minimum frequency.

a minimum of one time per year

More verbose, explicitly stating the minimum occurrence.

on an annual frequency or higher

Highlights that the frequency can be more than just annual.

per annum at the lowest

Uses the term "per annum" which is formal and specifies that it's the lowest.

every year as a baseline

Implies that every year is the fundamental frequency.

FAQs

How to use "at least annually" in a sentence?

Use "at least annually" to specify a minimum frequency of once a year. For example, "The audit should be conducted "at least annually" to ensure compliance."

What's the difference between "at least annually" and "annually"?

"Annually" means something happens exactly once per year, while ""at least annually"" signifies a minimum of once per year, with the possibility of more frequent occurrences.

What can I say instead of "at least annually"?

You can use alternatives like "once a year or more", "yearly as a minimum", or "on a minimum annual basis depending on the context."

Is "at least yearly" the same as "at least annually"?

Yes, "at least yearly" carries a similar meaning to ""at least annually"", indicating a minimum frequency of once per year. "Annually" is often perceived as more formal.