at the bare minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the bare minimum" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to indicate the least amount or number required for something.
Example: The project needs to be completed by next week, at the bare minimum.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

At the bare minimum, the Glazers could relax.

The Guardian - Sport

At the bare minimum, it's as hard as medical school".

The New York Times - Travel

At the bare minimum, Morrisons must show that the rate of decline is continuing to slow.

The Guardian - Business

To win licences, companies must promise to invest in exploration, which at the bare minimum will include seismic surveys.

Independent

At the bare minimum, there will be a lot more marginalized people who feel like their voices might mean something.

The New York Times

He estimated the company would carry a price tag of 15 billion Swiss francs, or $17 billion, "at the bare minimum".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The craft beer movement has been a game-changer in that respect, with – to name but a few – Manchester's Port Street Beer House, Cask Tavern and Smithfield Tavern; Conwy's Albion; the Black Dove in Brighton; the Wellington and Craven Arms in Birmingham; or the York, Euston and Harrogate Taps all thriving while doing at most the bare minimum of food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I hope, truly, that VICE and other news media outlets will conduct at least the bare minimum of cursory research when reporting on a public health crisis that affects over 300,000 more Americans every year, who have to bear thoughtless, fallacious and damaging inherently biased news stories.

Huffington Post

They'll also need, at the very least, a couple of reeds (2 - 3 strength, for a brand new beginner), and at least the bare minimum of supplies to keep the clarinet clean - a swab.

WikiHow

The public mood is so empathically pro-refugee, you'd feel guilty if you didn't at least do the bare minimum, such as offer your spare bed to a Syrian.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think if you are going to consider something you make, especially with photography, art, then you should at least understand the bare minimum.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the bare minimum" when you want to clearly state the absolute lowest requirement or expectation. It is effective in setting boundaries and clarifying essential conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "at the bare minimum" interchangeably with phrases like "ideally" or "preferably". "At the bare minimum" sets a lower limit, while other phrases suggest a desired but not necessarily required condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the bare minimum" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the least acceptable or necessary condition. It sets a lower bound or threshold for an action or requirement, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Huffington Post

5%

Forbes

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the bare minimum" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the least acceptable or necessary requirement in a given situation. Ludwig shows that it functions as an adverbial phrase, setting a lower boundary across a spectrum of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific discussions. The phrase is grammatically sound and its frequency is high, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, using "at the bare minimum" effectively means setting clear expectations and essential conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the very least

Similar meaning, but adds emphasis.

the absolute minimum

Synonymous, emphasizing the lowest possible quantity.

at a minimum

Shorter and slightly more formal.

as a baseline

Emphasizes a starting point or standard level.

the bare essentials

Focuses on only the necessary items or actions.

at the lower end

Focuses on the bottom range of a spectrum.

to the smallest extent

Emphasizes a limited or minimal degree.

at the floor

Describes a lower boundary of some amount.

at rock bottom

Implies the absolute lowest possible level.

as an irreducible minimum

A more formal and technical variant.

FAQs

How to use "at the bare minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "at the bare minimum" to specify the lowest acceptable level or requirement. For example, "You should study for an hour each day, "at the bare minimum"".

What can I say instead of "at the bare minimum"?

You can use alternatives like "at a minimum", "at the very least", or "as a baseline" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at the bare minimum" or "at bare minimum"?

"At the bare minimum" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. Omitting "the" makes the phrase sound unnatural.

What's the difference between "at the bare minimum" and "ideally"?

"At the bare minimum" specifies the lowest acceptable level, while "ideally" suggests a preferred or optimal condition that is not necessarily required. They serve different communicative functions.