however minimal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however minimal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is present or exists, even if it is in a very small or insignificant amount. Example: "The project received some funding, however minimal, which allowed us to start the initial phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The changes to the previous code are, however, minimal.

The Guardian

He wanted no human recognition, however minimal, as he headed downtown.

The New Yorker

The attention, however minimal, shown Sir Edmund in New York has a few people scratching their heads.

The New York Times

Having availed myself of two Cajun specialties, I was in need of some exercise, however minimal.

The New York Times - Travel

The players use that extra money, however minimal, for living expenses through the academic year.

The New York Times - Sports

However minimal your musical background, simply experiencing a concert or opera live, letting yourself respond intuitively, is the most important step.

The New York Times - Arts

But there certainly was something new and big (however minimal the means) stirring in the second half of the 20th century.

The New York Times - Arts

But Webern practiced an art of paring music of excess, of making each gesture, however minimal, expressive and significant.

The New York Times - Arts

(There are, however, minimal but imaginative costumes, usually by Candice Thompson, and the dancers are always immaculately groomed).

The New York Times - Arts

If we're busy putting in the effort, however minimal, to "like" and comment and interact with an ever-widening network, we have less time and capacity left for our closer groups.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ferver, who has written and choreographed the show, is a real actor in a dance setting (however minimal), as opposed to a dancer trying to act.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however minimal" to acknowledge a small or seemingly unimportant contribution, effect, or degree, often to contrast it with something more significant.

Common error

Avoid using "however minimal" when you intend to convey that something is completely absent or non-existent; the phrase implies a presence, albeit a small one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however minimal" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a concession or contrast regarding the degree or extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however minimal" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial modifier, widely used to acknowledge something small or insignificant, often in contrast to a larger point. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with frequent appearances in science and news media, according to Ludwig AI. When using "however minimal", ensure you're conveying a presence, albeit small, and not complete absence. Alternatives like "however slight" or "even if small" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however slight

Replaces "minimal" with "slight", emphasizing the small degree of something.

however small

Replaces "minimal" with "small", focusing on the size or extent.

however insignificant

Replaces "minimal" with "insignificant", highlighting the lack of importance.

even if minimal

Replaces "however" with "even if", changing the structure while retaining the meaning.

though minimal

Uses "though" instead of "however" to introduce a contrast.

albeit minimal

Uses "albeit" to concede that something is minimal.

however modest

Replaces "minimal" with "modest", suggesting a restrained or humble quality.

however trivial

Replaces "minimal" with "trivial", emphasizing the lack of importance or seriousness.

to a minimal extent

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize the degree to which something exists.

in a minimal way

Reformulates the phrase to describe the manner in which something occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "however minimal" in a sentence?

You can use "however minimal" to acknowledge something small or insignificant. For instance, "The contribution, "however minimal", made a difference."

What are some alternatives to saying "however minimal"?

Alternatives include "however slight", "even if small", or "though minimal". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "however minimal" or "however small"?

"However minimal" and "however small" are quite similar, but "however minimal" emphasizes the insignificance in degree or amount, whereas "however small" focuses on physical size or extent. Choose based on context.

Can "however minimal" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "however minimal" is suitable for formal writing. Its use in publications like The New York Times and academic journals demonstrates its acceptability in professional contexts.