keep to the minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep to the minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to limit something to the least amount necessary or to avoid excess. Example: "In order to stay within budget, we need to keep to the minimum when it comes to expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

So I'll keep to the minimum.

The New York Times

It is not only the noise we are trying to keep to the minimum when taking a photograph.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And how would the economic damage unleashed by years of uncertainty be kept to the minimum?

The New York Times

In this way, water pollution is kept to the minimum achievable by modern technology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It may also be allowed to publish some quotes, but this will be kept to "the minimum necessary to enable the inquiry to articulate its conclusions".

The Guardian

But Henderson has insisted several times that they are "fast horses" who should properly be kept to the minimum distance over which jumps races take place.

The Guardian - Sport

However, a thermal aware design of ICs allows thermal issues to be kept to the minimum.

Microelectronics Journal

This way, incorrect occlusion relationship will be kept to the minimum.

Brain Informatics

This overhead is kept to the minimum by enabling the scheduler work without any monitoring on the public resources.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

As a result, ALA instillation times should be kept to the minimum needed for safe and successful treatment or diagnosis.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Thus, network powers are wisely used and interference are kept to the minimum in our rate-on-demand (RoD) scheme.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or guidelines, use "keep to the minimum" to clearly communicate the need for restraint or moderation in a particular action or use of resources. For example, "To avoid over-processing, "keep to the minimum" the amount of time spent in the developer solution."

Common error

Avoid using "minimal" when you mean "minimum". "Minimal" describes something that is the smallest possible, whereas "minimum" refers to a specific, quantifiable amount. For instance, you would say ""keep to the minimum" effort required" (a specific level), not "keep to the minimal effort required" (the smallest possible effort).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep to the minimum" functions as a directive, typically used to advise or instruct someone to restrict something to the smallest extent possible. It often appears in contexts where moderation or control is necessary. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep to the minimum" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to advise limiting something to the smallest necessary amount. Ludwig AI confirms this. Common across varied contexts like science, news, and general writing, it serves to encourage restraint and moderation. When using this phrase, remember to distinguish "minimum" from "minimal", and consider more formal alternatives like "reduce to a minimum" or simply "minimize" in certain settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimize

This single word is a more concise way of saying to reduce to the smallest possible amount.

reduce to a minimum

Replaces "keep" with "reduce", slightly changing the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

limit to the minimum

Substitutes "keep" with "limit", emphasizing the act of restriction.

hold to the minimum

Implies maintaining a certain level that is the lowest acceptable.

constrain to the minimum

Suggests a more forceful restriction to the lowest level.

keep within minimal bounds

Emphasizes staying inside the lowest possible limits.

maintain at the lowest level

Focuses on the act of preserving something at its smallest possible extent.

curtail to the minimum

Highlights a reduction in something to the lowest necessary point.

restrict to the bare minimum

Adds emphasis to the minimal nature of the allowed amount.

downto the minimum

Focuses on reaching the lowest bound of some variable value.

FAQs

How can I rephrase ""keep to the minimum"" in a formal context?

In a formal setting, you might prefer using phrases like "reduce to a minimum", "limit to the minimum", or simply "minimize" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say ""keep to the minimum""?

Yes, ""keep to the minimum"" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides examples of its use in reliable sources.

What does ""keep to the minimum"" mean?

The phrase means to limit something as much as possible or to ensure that something is only present in the smallest amount necessary. It implies restraint and avoiding excess.

What are some common errors when using the phrase ""keep to the minimum""?

A common error is confusing "minimum" with "minimal". "Minimum" refers to a specific quantifiable amount, while "minimal" means the smallest possible. For instance, say ""keep to the minimum" amount of sugar", not "keep to the minimal amount of sugar".