carried the minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carried the minimum" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in contexts where you are discussing a requirement or standard that has been met, particularly in technical or regulatory discussions. Example: "The project was successful because it carried the minimum requirements set by the regulatory body."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Most people carried the minimum of a jumper and coat given by charities, the lucky few had a cricket bat or a football.

The Guardian

Both drivers shared certain characteristics: Each was 30 years old; had been a driver for 10 years; lived in a ZIP code with a median income of $50,000; owned and drove a 2002 Honda Civic; drove 7,500 miles per year; and carried the minimum auto liability insurance required by state law (minimums vary from state to state).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it carries the minimum we need to understand his approach to the question of what religion is.

The Guardian - Opinion

In that merging, the focus shifted to a one-sided political calculus, and away from critical questions like just how much it would cost Americans to carry the minimum amount of insurance coverage required under the emerging bill.

The New York Times

By combining the just-in-case with just-in-time strategy, Mr. Circ said, companies are trying to strike a balance between "carrying the minimum inventory possible, yet never running out of things, because inventory equals cost".

The New York Times

According to Christina Tyler Loznicka, a spokeswoman for Allstate Insurance Company, liability coverage is usually required, "but policy limits may vary and if you just carry the minimum coverage limits, you could be left paying the difference, making it a very expensive fill-up".

The New York Times

The decision to run the top weight will ensure a much less competitive race for the Scottish National as many of the runners will have to carry the minimum weight of 10 stone putting them at a decided disadvantage if they are declared this morning.

The Guardian - Sport

Its "stories" were short and concise, carrying the minimum information required to convey the simple message of a thing.

TechCrunch

To drive in the U.S. you are only required to carry the minimum.

Huffington Post

The shorter LTR version, LTR17 (7 bp), carries the minimum DNA site required for IN binding [1].

Plosone

Under this benchmarking, the probability of disease associated with carrying the minimum number of alleles in the population differs between models, but in all models this will be very close to zero given the number or risk loci now expected to contribute to complex genetic disease.

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carried the minimum", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'minimum' refers to. For clarity, specify the units or category to which the minimum applies.

Common error

Avoid using "carried the minimum" without clearly specifying what the minimum refers to. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Always provide context to ensure the meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carried the minimum" functions primarily as a descriptor, indicating that a subject possesses or meets the lowest acceptable level of a particular attribute or requirement. The examples from Ludwig show its use in describing insurance coverage, inventory levels, and information content.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "carried the minimum" signifies possessing only the least amount or level necessary to meet a requirement. Though grammatically acceptable, its infrequent usage may lead to ambiguity, as highlighted by Ludwig. For clarity, it's advisable to specify what 'minimum' refers to. Alternative phrases like ""met the minimum requirements"" or "complied with the minimum" offer greater precision. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase appears most often in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While not incorrect, careful context is crucial when employing "carried the minimum" to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

met the minimum requirements

Replaces "carried" with "met" and specifies "requirements" making the phrase more explicit.

satisfied the minimum criteria

Uses "satisfied" instead of "carried" and "criteria" instead of an implied object, providing a slightly more formal tone.

fulfilled the minimum standard

Substitutes "fulfilled" for "carried" and adds "standard" to clarify the object, increasing formality.

complied with the minimum

Emphasizes adherence to a set requirement, often legal or regulatory.

possessed the least amount

Focuses on the quantity of something, rather than a standard or requirement.

had the bare minimum

Implies a level that is just sufficient, possibly with negative connotations of insufficiency.

maintained the minimum level

Emphasizes the act of maintaining a certain low threshold, instead of simply possessing it.

observed the minimum

Focuses on adhering to an imposed boundary or requirement.

included only the essentials

Highlights that only the most essential aspects were encompassed.

kept it to the minimum

Focuses on the act of reducing something to its smallest possible level.

FAQs

What does "carried the minimum" mean?

The phrase "carried the minimum" typically means to possess or include only the least amount or level of something required or allowed. It suggests that no more than the absolute necessary quantity or standard was present.

How can I use "carried the minimum" in a sentence?

To effectively use "carried the minimum", ensure the context makes clear what 'minimum' is being referred to. For example: "The insurance policy "met the minimum requirements" set by the state."

What can I say instead of "carried the minimum"?

You can use alternatives like ""met the minimum requirements"", "complied with the minimum", or "had the bare minimum" depending on the context.

Is "carried the minimum" grammatically correct?

While not inherently incorrect, "carried the minimum" is less common and can sound awkward compared to alternatives like ""met the minimum requirements"". Clarity depends heavily on context.