at minimal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at minimal" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "at a minimum" or "at minimum." Example: "The project will require at a minimum three weeks to complete."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Well used, these deliver great flavour at minimal expense.

The Guardian - Money

"These resolutions help contain those risks at minimal cost.

The Guardian

The economy stands to reap huge benefits at minimal costs.

The New York Times

We don't communicate with one another, or if we do at minimal level".

The Guardian

Very tasty beer at minimal cost, but still not as good as I remember my dad's.

The Guardian - Money

Manufacturers bought decommissioned steel mills from the West at minimal cost and reassembled them in China.

The New Yorker

Builders and hardware suppliers need to understand how to improve comfort at minimal cost.

The New York Times

Food-distribution networks and soup kitchens have closed or are operating at minimal capacity.

The New Yorker

The belief was that these collateralised securities offered high returns at minimal risk.

The Guardian - Business

It would certainly change the geographical mix at minimal cost and effort.

The New York Times - Sports

These operators sent out "tens of thousands of solicitations and at minimal expense," he writes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatically correct phrasing, replace "at minimal" with "at a minimum" or "at minimum". For instance, "The project will require at a minimum three weeks to complete."

Common error

Avoid using "at minimal" because it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for "at a minimum" or "at minimum". These alternatives correctly incorporate the article "a" to complete the prepositional phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at minimal" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to modify a verb or adjective by indicating the degree or extent to which something is happening or existing. Despite its common usage, as shown in Ludwig, it's considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Despite its frequent appearance in various sources, including news and scientific publications, "at minimal" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. The correct alternatives are ""at a minimum"" or "at minimum". While "at minimal" aims to express a lower limit or reduced degree, using the grammatically correct alternatives ensures clarity and avoids potential criticism in formal writing. Therefore, while commonly used, it's best to opt for ""at a minimum"" for grammatical precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a minimum

Replaces "minimal" with "a minimum", correcting the grammatical structure while retaining the core meaning of the smallest possible amount.

at the lowest level

Focuses on the lowest extent or degree, emphasizing the bottom end of a scale or range.

at the very least

Emphasizes the minimum requirement or expectation, conveying a sense of something indispensable.

at least

A more concise alternative, indicating the smallest acceptable quantity or degree.

to a minimum degree

Highlights the degree to which something is reduced or limited.

at the slightest

Focuses on the smallest possible amount or degree, emphasizing subtlety.

at rock bottom

Implies the absolute lowest point or level, often associated with negative situations.

at the nadir

Uses a more formal term for the lowest point, suitable for technical or academic contexts.

at the floor

Emphasizes the lowest permissible limit or boundary.

at nil

Indicates an amount of zero, emphasizing complete absence or lack.

FAQs

Is "at minimal" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "at minimal" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct expression is "at a minimum" or "at minimum". Alternatives include using "at least" or "no less than".

What can I say instead of "at minimal"?

You can use alternatives such as "at a minimum", "at the lowest level", or "at the very least", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at minimal" or "at a minimum"?

"At a minimum" is the correct phrase. "At minimal" is grammatically incorrect. Use "at a minimum" to convey the idea of the smallest possible quantity or degree.

What's the difference between "at minimal" and "at a minimum"?

"At minimal" is grammatically incorrect. "At a minimum" is the standard, grammatically sound way to express the idea of a minimum quantity or degree. Always choose "at a minimum" in formal writing.