for no less than

USAGE SUMMARY

"for no less than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a minimum amount or quantity. It can also be used to convey importance or significance. Example: The diamond ring was sold for no less than $10,000 at the auction. This phrase emphasizes that the minimum sale price for the ring was $10,000 and it may have been sold for even more. It conveys the significance and value of the item being sold.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The researchers aim for no less than a reinvention of flood hazard planning for the East Coast.

Princeton University

Place it in the refrigerator for no less than two hours and no more than 24 hours.

WikiHow

Have been burning, figuratively, for no less than 250 years.

The New Yorker

Leaves are granted for no less than one semester and no greater than two years.

Cornell University

For Friday's game, they were going for no less than 400percentt of their face value.

The New York Times - Sports

On one occasion, he paid for no less than 920 of them.

The Guardian - Sport

But her CV shows she's also managed to work for no less than three Tory MPs.

The Guardian

Theater is necessary, he says, for no less than "to secure our bare, naked cultural survival".

The New York Times - Books

Such has been the case for no less than four thousand years, and likely much longer19.

Nature

Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the skin flushed with water for no less than fifteen minutes.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, an active young woman should aim for no less than 2,000 calories a day.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for no less than" when you want to emphasize the importance of meeting a certain minimum requirement or standard. It adds a sense of seriousness or urgency to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "for no less than" in situations where the minimum amount is already implied or obvious. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for no less than" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a minimum quantity or degree. Ludwig's examples show it being used to set lower bounds in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for no less than" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a minimum requirement, quantity, or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "at least" and "no fewer than" exist, "for no less than" adds a layer of emphasis suitable for formal or serious situations. When using this phrase, it's best to avoid overuse in contexts where the minimum is already obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not less than

Mirrors the original phrase but uses a slightly more formal tone.

no fewer than

Emphasizes a minimum number, suitable when referring to countable items.

at least

Expresses a minimum quantity or degree, similar to the original phrase but more concise.

a minimum of

Highlights the minimal acceptable amount, changing the grammatical structure slightly.

at a minimum

Indicates a base level or requirement, shifting focus to the lowest acceptable quantity.

at the very least

Adds emphasis to the minimum requirement, suggesting it might be higher.

as a bare minimum

Highlights that the quantity expressed is the lowest possible and barely acceptable.

if nothing else

This implies that there may be more requirements or steps but that at least the specified one must be performed.

at rock bottom

Conveys that something is fundamental or crucial, similar to a minimum requirement.

to say the least

Highlights understatement, implying the reality exceeds the minimum expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "for no less than" in a sentence?

You can use "for no less than" to emphasize a minimum requirement or standard. For example, "The project requires an investment of "at least" $1 million."

What is a similar phrase to "for no less than"?

Alternatives include "at a minimum", "at least", or "no fewer than". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "at least" or "for no less than"?

"At least" is generally more concise and suitable for everyday use. "For no less than" adds more emphasis and is often used in formal or serious contexts.

What's the difference between "no less than" and "for no less than"?

"No less than" can emphasize a surprising or large quantity, while "for no less than" focuses on a minimum requirement. For example, "No less than 1000 people attended the event", versus "The car should be sold "at a minimum" for no less than $10,000".