minimal existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being that is reduced to the least amount necessary or a very basic form of life or presence. Example: "The artist's work reflects a philosophy of minimal existence, focusing on simplicity and the essence of being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"A minimal existence means you don't buy things you don't need," Mr. Rogers said.

The New York Times

A third of one's contemporaries are dead, and many more, with profound mental or physical damage, are trapped in a tragic and minimal existence.

The New York Times

The resulting method can be applied under some necessary and sufficient, and thus minimal, existence conditions for causal state observers.

European Journal of Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It didn't matter how minimal his existence was in my life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two necessary and sufficient conditions for the minimal solution existence are given.

Chaos, Solitons & Fractals

Although the actual news value of the 2011 return would almost certainly have been minimal, its very existence would have prompted another flood of stories about the absurdly low tax rate that the Romneys face — 13.8percentnt in 2010 and an estimated 15.2 per cent in 2011.

The New Yorker

This is the minimal framework to guarantee existence of the minimizers at each step, and to get estimates as in (2.11) providing the existence of a limit curve.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

"The requirement for some document to show that a person is in existence is minimal and necessary," Mr. Specter said.

The New York Times

This doesn't require the existence of minimal parts of clay.

SEP

We show that the existence of "minimal invariant sets" for A yields hyperinvariant subspaces.

Journal of Functional Analysis

We derive a sufficient condition for the existence of minimal maps.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minimal existence" when you want to convey a life or situation reduced to its most essential elements, stripping away excess and focusing on core needs or functions. It can describe a philosophical approach, a forced circumstance, or a design principle.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal existence" to suggest that such a state is inherently negative or deficient. While it may describe hardship, the phrase itself is neutral and simply denotes a reduced state. Instead, focus on the specific context and consequences of that state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal existence" functions as a noun phrase, where "minimal" modifies the noun "existence". It describes the state of being reduced to the bare essentials. As shown by Ludwig, it can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal existence" refers to a state of being reduced to the bare essentials. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and can be used in various contexts, from philosophical discussions to descriptions of living conditions. While not extremely common, its usage appears in reliable sources such as The New York Times and scientific journals. It can be used to objectively express someone's life condition and as we have seen, this expression can be related to "basic existence" and "austere lifestyle". When employing the phrase, it's important to remain objective and let the context inform any potential value judgements. The rarity of this expression also indicates that "basic existence" is a more commonly used expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic existence

Emphasizes the fundamental and essential aspects of being, similar to minimal, but less restrictive.

bare existence

Highlights the stark and unadorned nature of living, focusing on survival.

subsistence living

Focuses on obtaining the basic necessities to sustain life, a practical application of minimal.

austere lifestyle

Implies a deliberate choice to live simply, reducing material possessions and comforts.

essential being

Highlights the core components of one's self or presence, reduced to its most important elements.

limited existence

Focuses on the constrained or restricted nature of being, possibly due to external factors.

spartan living

References a lifestyle characterized by simplicity, frugality and avoidance of luxury.

simple living

More focused on choice rather than a constrained existence.

reduced circumstances

Emphasizes the external conditions that necessitate a simpler lifestyle.

fundamental life

Focuses on the elemental aspects of life.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The monk embraced a life of "minimal existence", owning only a few essential items" or "The design philosophy promoted a "minimal existence" with no unnecessary decoration".

What's the difference between "minimal existence" and "simple living"?

"Minimal existence" often implies a state of being reduced to necessities, potentially due to external factors. "Simple living", on the other hand, usually suggests a deliberate choice to simplify one's life and reduce consumption.

Is "minimal existence" a positive or negative term?

"Minimal existence" is generally neutral. Its connotation depends on the context. It can describe a chosen path of simplicity or a difficult situation of scarcity.

What are some related concepts to "minimal existence"?

Related concepts include "subsistence living", "austere lifestyle", and "basic existence", all of which involve reducing life to its essential elements but with slightly different nuances.