decline to a minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to a minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reduction or decrease in something to its lowest possible level. Example: "The company aims to decline its operational costs to a minimum in order to improve profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Private Eye kept its sales decline to a minimum in the first half of the year, maintaining its status as the top-selling news and current affairs magazine.

The Guardian

Tb of hibernating animals approached the temperature in the burrow and followed its winter decline to a minimum of 1.8°C (Fig. 2b).

Plosone

Similarly, several [28], [29], [30], but not all [25], studies show that CVD events peak on Monday and gradually decline to a minimum of events on the weekend, suggesting a consistent day of week pattern for CVD events.

Plosone

Prior to the Fall 2011 semester, course enrollment had experienced a steady decline, to a minimum of 77 students in Fall 2011.

CBE Life Sciences Education

In Italy, an additional number of approximately 90 cases per year will be attributable to past exposure up to 2020 and then the number will decline to a minimum of 1.6 in 2050.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Although he thinks they might fall a bit, he believes institutional investors or insiders at these companies who know the shares' values would step in and buy, keeping their declines to a minimum.

The New York Times

In the first 10 years after wildfires, % RPC was elevated, declining to a minimum at ca. TSF 25 years.

Science of The Total Environment

The superoxide release (Jm) rates declined to a minimum on the PA addition (Fig. 3G, H).

Antioxidants and Redox Signaling

Its toxicity was only partial against cells in mitosis, and declined to a minimum with progression to G1.

British Journal of Cancer

From 1999, the risk of Caesarean delivery increased steadily to a maximum in 2005 [adjusted OR = 1.7; 95%CI (1.6 1.8)] whereas that of LBWT declined to a minimum in 2005 (adjusted OR = 0.76; 95% CI (0.71 0.82).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

This is consistent with the CT accrual kinetics typical of control cells (Fig. 1, also shown as the gray line in Fig. 3B), where CT abundance declines to a minimum at 6 DAS before exhibiting a recovery.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity, use “decline to a minimum” to succinctly express reducing something to its lowest possible level. For instance, “The company aimed to "decline to a minimum" its environmental impact.”

Common error

Avoid using "decline to a minimum" when referring to a desired but unachieved outcome. The phrase indicates an action that has successfully reduced something to its lowest point, not an aspirational goal. For example, instead of saying 'We hope to decline costs to a minimum', which is incorrect, say 'We aim to reduce costs to the lowest possible level'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to a minimum" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of reducing something to its lowest possible level. Ludwig AI affirms its usability and grammatical correctness. The phrase typically modifies a noun, describing an action taken upon it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline to a minimum" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of reducing something to its lowest possible level. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and correct usage. While appearing in both news and scientific contexts, its formal tone aligns particularly well with professional communication. When writing, remember that this phrase signifies an action taken to reduce something to its smallest measure, rather than just a desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall to a minimum

This alternative uses "fall" instead of "decline", suggesting a more sudden or rapid decrease.

reduce to the lowest level

This phrase uses more explicit language, replacing "decline" with "reduce" and "minimum" with "lowest level".

decrease to a minimum

This alternative uses "decrease" which implies a gradual reduction, similar to "decline".

diminish to a minimum

This alternative, employing "diminish", suggests a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity to the lowest possible point.

shrink to a minimum

Using "shrink" implies a physical reduction in size or extent to the lowest possible point.

taper off to a minimum

Employing "taper off" suggests a gradual decrease, often in a smooth or controlled manner, down to its smallest point.

ebb to a minimum

The word "ebb" implies a receding or decline, often in reference to tides or other fluctuating phenomena, reaching its lowest point.

wane to a minimum

This alternative uses "wane" suggests a gradual decrease in strength or intensity, eventually reaching its smallest degree.

lessen to a minimum

Employing "lessen" indicates a reduction in amount, degree, or intensity to the smallest possible measure.

de-escalate to a minimum

Using "de-escalate" specifically suggests a reduction in intensity or severity, especially in a conflict or tense situation, down to the lowest degree.

FAQs

How can I use "decline to a minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "decline to a minimum" to describe the act of reducing something to its lowest possible level. For example: "The company worked to "decline to a minimum" its carbon footprint".

What phrases are similar to "decline to a minimum"?

Alternatives include "fall to a minimum", "reduce to the lowest level", or "decrease to a minimum". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "decline to a minimum"?

Yes, "decline to a minimum" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, as confirmed by linguistic analysis.

In what contexts is "decline to a minimum" typically used?

This phrase is frequently found in scientific and news contexts, often describing efforts to minimize negative impacts or reduce quantities to their lowest achievable levels.