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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
min instead of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "min instead of" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are comparing two options, suggesting a preference for one over the other. Example: "I would prefer to use min instead of max for this calculation."
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
If f is concave, then the reverse inequality is valid in (17) with min instead of max.
If f is concave, then reverse inequalities are valid in (28) and (29) with min instead of max.
The optimal condition allows the separation of sulindac and of its 3 related impurities in 6 min instead of 18 min.
The median time to obtain results was substantially reduced by POCT relative to the central laboratory in all critical care units: 2 [2 2] min instead of 82 [58–130] min (p < 0.0001) in the Cardiac Surgery OR, 5 [4 7] min instead of 80 [63–108] min (p < 0.0001) in the 10-bed ICU, 24 [13–38] min instead of 112 [90–135] min in the 37-bed ICU (p < 0.0001).
Science
In the dual case, when f is concave, the reverse inequality is valid in (22) with min instead of max in (23).
The SYM-H index is the same as the Dst index but computed at a higher time resolution of 1 min instead of 1 h used for Dst.
Science
Subjects in the present study completed 30 min, instead of 20 min, of AEE in order to closely match EE during HIIT (determined during pilot testing; unpublished data).
Science
Reactions with bacterial samples were incubated for 20 min instead of 10 min. Substrates included 1 ng biotinylated UCP2, and 300 ng mtRNA.
Science
Remark 4 If f is convex and strictly negative on [ m x, M x ], then (36) and (37) are valid with min instead of max.
In the dual case, if f is concave, then the reverse inequalities are valid in (36) and (37) with min instead of max.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
This process was performed within 90 min. Instead of the Taq polymerase recommended in the kit, we used 1.25 U of AmpliTaq Gold LD Applied Biosystemss, Foster City, CA, USA) to obtain a high yield of the PCR products.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "min instead of", ensure the comparison is clear and logical. The context should make it obvious why one option is preferred over the other.
Common error
Avoid using "min instead of" when the options being compared are not explicitly stated or easily understood from the surrounding text. Always provide enough context to make the comparison meaningful.
Source & Trust
74%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "min instead of" serves as a comparative conjunction, highlighting a preference or substitution between two options. It introduces an alternative action, quantity or method.
Frequent in
Science
100%
Less common in
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "min instead of" functions as a comparison, presenting an alternative or substitute for something else. It is very common in scientific contexts, but Ludwig found it less frequent elsewhere. The phrase is deemed acceptable from a grammatical standpoint and primarily serves to indicate replacements or substitutions in formal contexts. Ludwig's analysis shows it often appears in scientific publications.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
rather than
Indicates a preference for one thing over another; direct replacement.
in place of
Suggests a substitution, often when something is not available.
as opposed to
Highlights a contrast between two options.
alternatively to
Introduces another option or method.
as a substitute for
Specifies that one thing is being used in place of another.
in lieu of
Formal way of saying "instead of".
by way of replacement for
Emphasizes the act of replacing something.
to the exclusion of
Highlights that one option is chosen, preventing the other.
on behalf of
Suggests acting or choosing for someone or something.
for the sake of
Indicates doing something for a particular reason or benefit.
FAQs
How to use "min instead of" in a sentence?
Use "min instead of" to indicate a preference or substitution. For example, "Use "rather than" boiling, try baking the chicken."
What can I say instead of "min instead of"?
You can use alternatives like ""rather than"", "in place of", or "as opposed to" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "min instead of" or "minimum instead of"?
"Min instead of" is an acceptable abbreviation, especially in technical contexts, however, using the full word minimum will sound less informal. Both are usable.
What's the difference between "min instead of" and "rather than"?
"Min instead of" is a more direct substitution, while ""rather than"" often implies a preference or avoidance. Both can frequently be interchanged depending on the sentence.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
74%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested