done the minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done the minimum" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "done the minimum required" or "done the minimum necessary" to convey the intended meaning clearly. Example: "In this project, I have only done the minimum required to meet the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The government has done "the minimum possible".

The Guardian

Because had we done that, we never would have done the minimum wage.

The Guardian

M. Depardieu has done the minimum compatible with a Frenchman's deep love of his own culture.

Independent

In fact, he says, in the face of repeated security faults it has done the minimum, each time, that would keep it just ahead of each flaw.

The Guardian - Tech

To some however, the battered equipment on the war's front lines is emblematic of a U.S. policy that has done the minimum to bolster the Ukrainian government and deter a reinvigorated Russia.

The Washington Post

Rather than divest completely from private business and content herself with the honor and challenge of serving the president and the country, she has done the minimum that government ethics rules require by putting her merchandising business in a trust.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I really do the minimum.

The New York Times

Nor, sometimes, does the minimum wage.

The New York Times

"They do the minimum, and it's a sad story".

The New York Times

Only at large morphological numbers does the minimum undercooling point corresponds to the marginal stability limit.

Acta Materialia

He appears to do the minimum on the podium yet inspires adulation and blazing results.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to convey that only the most basic or required actions were taken, specify what standard was met by using phrases such as "done the minimum required" or "done the minimum necessary" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the words "required" or "necessary" after "done the minimum". This makes the sentence grammatically incomplete. Always specify "done the minimum required" or "done the minimum necessary" to ensure correct usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done the minimum" functions as an incomplete expression. As noted by Ludwig AI, it typically requires specification, such as "done the minimum required" or "done the minimum necessary", to be grammatically correct and fully convey its intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "done the minimum" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incomplete. To ensure clarity and correctness, it is best practice to specify what minimum was achieved by saying "done the minimum required" or "done the minimum necessary". The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. Alternative phrases like "fulfilled the minimum requirements" can offer greater precision and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fulfilled the minimum requirements

Focuses on meeting established criteria or standards.

met the bare minimum

Emphasizes doing the least possible to satisfy a requirement.

did what was strictly necessary

Highlights the essential nature of the actions performed.

completed the essentials

Implies a focus on fundamental tasks or elements.

satisfied the basic criteria

Relates to meeting a set of predefined conditions.

performed the required tasks

Highlights the completion of mandatory duties.

executed the least amount

Implies minimizing effort or resources used.

handled the fundamentals

Focuses on managing essential aspects of a situation.

addressed the necessities

Indicates attending to crucial needs or demands.

ticked all the boxes

Describes completing a checklist or fulfilling specific requirements.

FAQs

How to correctly use "done the minimum" in a sentence?

To use the phrase correctly, specify what was minimal by saying "done the minimum required" or "done the minimum necessary". For example, "They "done the minimum required" to pass the inspection".

What does it mean to say someone "done the minimum"?

It means they only completed the least amount of work or effort needed to achieve a specific goal or meet a specific requirement. Alternatives include saying they "met the bare minimum" or "satisfied the basic criteria".

Is "done the minimum" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "done the minimum" is incomplete. It should be followed by "required" or "necessary" to clarify what standard was met. Thus, ""done the minimum required"" is grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "done the minimum" and "did the minimum"?

"Done the minimum" is grammatically incorrect, missing the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' or 'had' whereas "did the minimum" is grammatically correct. However, to fully convey the meaning, both phrases should be completed by "required" or "necessary". For example: "They "did the minimum required"".