keep to a minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep to a minimum' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when something should be limited or kept to the least amount possible. For example, "We should keep our spending to a minimum in order to save money for our future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I have done my best to keep to a minimum my reading of his work.

The Guardian - Books

An important challenge in structural reliability is to keep to a minimum the number of calls to the numerical models.

Structural Safety

These measures have included: The recycling of any paperwork, which I try to keep to a minimum.

The Guardian

Harvard nutrition scientists have compiled the following list of unhealthy foods you should keep to a minimum.

Harvard University

Several traders also said they tried to keep to a minimum any new positions that were an aggressive bet on the movement of interest rates.

The New York Times

He lured the Italian maestro Carlo Maria Giulini, promising to keep to a minimum the administrative and fund-raising chores typically attendant on a conductor and music director.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

And protuberances are kept to a minimum.

The Economist

Investment constraints are kept to a minimum.

The Economist

Paperwork is kept to a minimum.

The Economist

Mathematical formulae are kept to a minimum.

Cirugía Española

Narration is kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep to a minimum", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are trying to limit. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "keep to a minimum" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "minimize" or "reduce" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep to a minimum" functions as a directive or recommendation, advising that something should be limited as much as possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid phrase, frequently used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep to a minimum" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that advises limiting something as much as possible. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While "keep to a minimum" is generally neutral in register, simpler alternatives like "minimize" may be more suitable for informal conversations. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what you are trying to limit for better clarity. Remember to use this phrase to advocate moderation and reduction, and consult related phrases when appropriate to make your text more engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimize

A more concise and direct alternative, focusing on reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

reduce to a minimum

Emphasizes the action of reducing something to its lowest possible level.

limit to the least possible

Highlights the act of setting a boundary to the smallest extent.

hold down to a minimum

Suggests an effort to restrain something at its lowest level.

curtail

Implies a restriction or reduction, often in a formal context.

diminish to the lowest level

Focuses on the gradual decrease to the smallest degree.

restrain to the smallest amount

Highlights the act of controlling something to its minimum quantity.

keep as low as possible

Emphasizes the desire to maintain something at its absolute minimum.

depress to the floor

Used in technical contexts, this implies pushing a value to the lowest possible value.

moderate

Suggests keeping something within reasonable limits, implying a degree of control.

FAQs

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

Use "keep to a minimum" to express the need to reduce something as much as possible. For example, "We should "keep to a minimum" the amount of waste we produce."

What are some alternatives to "keep to a minimum"?

You can use alternatives such as "minimize", "reduce to a minimum", or "limit to the least possible" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "kept to a minimum" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "Expenses were "kept to a minimum" during the project."

What's the difference between "minimize" and "keep to a minimum"?

"Minimize" is a more concise and direct way of saying ""keep to a minimum"". While both convey the same basic idea, "keep to a minimum" can sometimes sound more formal.