keeps to a minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps to a minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of limiting something to the smallest possible amount or degree. Example: "The company implements strict policies to ensure that waste keeps to a minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"But when we balanced all of the factors involved, we believe we settled on the right outcome that protects the tournament experience and keeps to a minimum the issues schools might face because of a new format".

The New York Times - Sports

DR_SEQAN keeps to a minimum the number of unidentified residues (typically represented with an 'X'), by assuming all cases where mixtures of 2, 3 or 4 nucleotides do not result in an ambiguous amino acid sequence determination (i.e. the triplet GGN is translated as G).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 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

Narration is kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

Services are kept to a minimum.

The Guardian - Arts

Anthropomorphic cuteness is kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

Furniture, too, was kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

Action is kept to a minimum.

The New York Times - Arts

Road riding is kept to a minimum.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keeps to a minimum", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited and why. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "keeps to a minimum" in a passive voice, as it can weaken the statement. Instead of "Mistakes are kept to a minimum", use "The team keeps mistakes to a minimum" to emphasize agency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps to a minimum" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to reduce or maintain something at its lowest possible level. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showing that it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keeps to a minimum" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate an effort to reduce or maintain something at the lowest possible level. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, with a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to effectively conveying the intention of limitation. Alternative phrases include "minimizes" or "reduces to a minimum", offering varied options to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimizes

Focuses on the act of reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

reduces to a minimum

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

limits to the least amount

Highlights setting a boundary at the smallest quantity.

restricts to a minimum

Implies a constraint is imposed to keep something at its lowest.

curtails

Suggests a reduction or restriction, often in a more abrupt manner.

constrains to the lowest level

Indicates forcing something to remain at the smallest quantity.

diminishes

Focuses on gradually making something smaller.

lessens

Highlights a decrease in quantity or degree.

abbreviates

Implies shortening or reducing in length or duration.

condenses

Suggests making something more compact or concise.

FAQs

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

You can use "keeps to a minimum" to describe efforts to reduce something. For example: "The company "keeps to a minimum" the environmental impact of its operations."

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

Alternatives include "minimizes", "reduces to a minimum", or "limits to the least amount" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "kept to a minimum" or "keeps to a minimum"?

The choice between "kept to a minimum" and "keeps to a minimum" depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "kept" for past tense and "keeps" for present tense. For example: "We "kept to a minimum" the number of errors during the project" (past) versus "The software "keeps to a minimum" the risk of data loss" (present).

What is the difference between "keeps to a minimum" and "minimizes"?

"Keeps to a minimum" suggests an ongoing effort to maintain a low level, while "minimizes" implies actively reducing something. "The company "keeps to a minimum" waste" suggests consistent efforts. "The company "minimizes" waste" suggests an active reduction effort.