at minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate the smallest amount or the least that is possible. For example, "The assignment requires that students read at minimum five pages per night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At minimum, the film has verisimilitude.

The New York Times - Arts

One of them, at minimum.

The Guardian

At minimum, credibility can suffer.

The Washington Post

At minimum, it's taking five.

Harvard University

It's a nifty illusion, at minimum.

The New York Times

At minimum, he made himself look inconsistent.

The New York Times - Books

Or, at minimum, extremely hard to discourage.

The New York Times

He added: "Many are already operating at minimum capacity.

The New York Times

His energy and climate change policy goals, at minimum, survived.

The New York Times

At minimum we should pick up four; at best seven".

The New York Times

Currently, I don't have anyone at minimum wage.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at minimum" to set a clear lower boundary for requirements, expectations, or acceptable conditions. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures a basic standard is met.

Common error

Avoid using "at minimum" interchangeably with just "minimum" when specifying requirements. "Minimum" refers to the absolute lowest, while "at minimum" sets a floor but doesn't exclude the possibility of exceeding it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at minimum" functions as an adjunct, modifying a clause or sentence to specify the least acceptable quantity, degree, or condition. It sets a lower limit, as demonstrated by Ludwig, where it often appears in contexts demanding clarity about baseline requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at minimum" serves to specify the least acceptable level or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse writing styles. Its frequent appearance in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia" underscores its versatility. For greater precision, consider alternatives like "at the very least" or "at the least", but always ensure clarity in specifying minimum requirements. When using "at minimum", remember that it establishes a baseline, leaving room for exceeding it, unlike "minimum" alone. This ensures clarity and sets appropriate expectations in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the very least

Replaces "minimum" with "very least", emphasizing the lower limit.

at the least

A shorter version of "at the very least", slightly less emphatic.

at a minimum

Uses "a" before "minimum", making it slightly more formal.

minimally

An adverbial form, indicating the smallest degree.

at worst

Frames the situation from a negative perspective, indicating the worst-case scenario, but still implying a minimum.

as a baseline

Implies a starting point or standard for comparison.

to say the least

An idiomatic expression, often used for understatement.

if nothing else

Highlights the minimal acceptable outcome when other possibilities are exhausted.

at rock bottom

Emphasizes the lowest possible level or value.

at its lowest

Refers to the smallest quantity, degree or intensity of something.

FAQs

How to use "at minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "at minimum" to indicate the least acceptable amount or condition. For example, "The essay should be 500 words at minimum" or "You should exercise three times a week at minimum".

What can I say instead of "at minimum"?

You can use alternatives like "at the very least", "at the least", or "minimally" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at a minimum" instead of "at minimum"?

Both "at minimum" and "at a minimum" are grammatically correct, but "at minimum" is more common. Using "at a minimum" can add a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "at minimum" and "at most"?

"At minimum" indicates the lowest acceptable quantity or condition, while "at most" indicates the highest possible quantity or condition. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum.