at the very minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the very minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the least amount or the lowest standard that is acceptable in a given context. Example: "You should aim to complete the project by next week, but at the very minimum, it should be done by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And, at the very minimum, he ought to apologize".

The New York Times

At the very minimum he ought to at least say something.

The New York Times

At the very minimum, it could help us to find alternative, non-commercial users of this data.

The Guardian - Opinion

"At the very minimum, there is substantial unrecognised risk in the capital markets and the way they operate," he said.

The Guardian

In playoff terms, Stoke, Hull, West Brom and Bristol City are guaranteed a play-off place at the very minimum.

The Guardian - Sport

"At the very minimum there are half a million children who live in families who cannot afford to feed them..

Independent

"What this does show is at the very minimum an insensitivity to parliament's will," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian

"They need to take care of the workers, at the very minimum," Mr. Bush told reporters on a visit to New York.

The New York Times

"At the very minimum, when you ask people for their votes, you don't sit there complacently just hoping that the votes are going to fall in your lap.

The Guardian

At the very minimum, anything that is indisputably inaccurate must be corrected: there is no protected opinion that holds that the sun rises in the west.

The New York Times

At the very minimum need 20 wildlife guards who are able to sweep through the forest and set up roadblocks to stop the poachers and other hunters".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the very minimum" to clearly define the lower boundary of acceptable actions, results, or expectations to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the very minimum" without providing a specific, measurable target or expectation. Otherwise, the phrase can be perceived as ambiguous and ineffective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the very minimum" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the least acceptable level or condition. Ludwig examples show it used to specify the bottom line in various scenarios, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "at the very minimum" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to establish a lower limit or minimal expectation. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, its usage ranges from neutral to professional. To maximize clarity, provide a specific and measurable target. Alternatives like "at the very least" or "at a minimum" can be used for similar effect. Remembering these insights helps one leverage the phrase effectively in writing and conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the bare minimum

Replaces "very" with "bare" emphasizing the basic, essential level.

at the very least

Substitutes "minimum" with "least", focusing on the lowest acceptable degree.

as a minimum

Uses a more concise structure to convey the minimum requirement.

at a minimum

Omits "very" for a simpler expression of the minimal requirement.

at an absolute minimum

Adds "absolute" for increased emphasis on the minimal aspect.

at rock bottom

Uses a metaphor to describe the lowest possible level or standard.

if nothing else

Introduces a condition where this is the only thing that happens or is true.

at the nadir

Replaces minimum with a scientific term, nadir, meaning "the lowest point".

in the slightest degree

Uses a more formal way to state the least degree possible.

to the smallest extent

Refers to the minimal level or amount in a situation or context.

FAQs

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

Use "at the very minimum" to specify the lowest acceptable level or standard in a given situation. For example, "You should aim to submit the report by Friday, but "at the very minimum", it should be done by Monday".

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

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

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

Both ""at the very minimum"" and "at a minimum" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. The former emphasizes the absolute lowest level, while the latter simply indicates a minimal level.

What's the difference between "at the very minimum" and "if nothing else"?

"At the very minimum" sets a baseline requirement, whereas "if nothing else" suggests that even if all other things fail, at least this one thing should occur or be true.