cover at least

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cover at least" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a minimum requirement or extent of coverage in various contexts, such as discussions about topics, materials, or tasks. Example: "The report should cover at least the main findings of the research conducted over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

that cover at least si points of color i.

Discrete Applied Mathematics

Thus, the RS should cover, at least, these three dimensions.

Landscape and Urban Planning

here and cover at least part of our consumption.

Princeton University

I've read it cover to cover at least five times.

The Guardian - Books

Reported deaths now cover at least 40 nationalities.

The New York Times

Such pieces of territory had to cover at least 5 square miles.

Stanford University

Hide: If you can't find hard cover, at least hide from the attackers' line of sight.

University of California, Berkeley

I wanted to cover at least four continents and visit places I have never been.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

IF YOU CHOOSE SURGERY Most dental plans cover at least some of the costs of extraction.

The New York Times - Health

All have foreign-exchange reserves adequate to cover at least six months of imports.

The Economist

That is thought to cover at least 215,000 vehicles, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying requirements, use "cover at least" to clearly indicate the minimum acceptable extent or quantity, leaving no ambiguity about expectations. For instance, "The analysis should "cover at least" five key variables."

Common error

Avoid using "cover at least" when the intention is to indicate full or comprehensive coverage. Using "cover" alone suggests completeness, while "cover at least" implies a lower boundary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cover at least" functions as a qualifier, specifying a minimum extent or degree to which something must be addressed or included. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cover at least" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a minimum level of inclusion or coverage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. It effectively sets a baseline expectation, implying that while the stated amount must be "covered at least", the scope can extend further. When writing, be mindful not to use "cover at least" when intending to convey full coverage, and consider alternatives like "encompass at minimum" or "include as a minimum" for nuanced variations in meaning. Its widespread use and clear communicative function make "cover at least" a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encompass at minimum

Changes the verb to 'encompass' suggesting a broader inclusion, and uses 'at minimum' for emphasis on the lower bound.

include as a minimum

Focuses on inclusion with a stated minimum, altering the sentence structure slightly.

minimally address

Uses 'minimally' as an adverb to describe the action of 'addressing', reducing the phrase's length.

minimally include

Switches the verb to 'include' emphasizing containment with the adverb 'minimally'.

at a minimum encompass

Inverts the structure and uses 'encompass' to broaden the scope of coverage, stressing the minimal nature.

extend to a minimum of

Emphasizes the extension or reach to a specified minimum level.

reach at least

Focuses on achieving a certain threshold, using 'reach' as the operative verb.

minimally affect

Replaces "cover" with affect changing from literal coverage to an impact.

ensure coverage of

Shifts the focus to ensuring that a certain level of coverage is achieved.

provide a floor of

Uses the metaphor of a 'floor' to indicate a minimum level of provision or coverage.

FAQs

How can I use "cover at least" in a sentence?

Use "cover at least" to specify a minimum acceptable extent or quantity. For example, "The presentation should "cover at least" three key areas of the project".

What's a good alternative to "cover at least"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "include as a minimum", "encompass at minimum", or "reach at least" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "cover at least" or just "cover"?

Use "cover" when you mean to address everything comprehensively. Use "cover at least" when you want to specify the minimum acceptable amount of coverage, implying there could be more.

What does "cover at least" imply about the scope of coverage?

"Cover at least" implies a minimum threshold. It suggests that while the topic or area must "cover at least" a certain amount, it could potentially extend beyond that minimum.