minimal gains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal gains" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe small or insignificant improvements or benefits in a particular context, such as business, health, or personal development. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, we observed minimal gains in productivity over the first quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The strategy is therefore worthwhile only for investments with minimal gains or losses.

The New York Times

Three minimal gains later, the Jets settled for a 46-yard field goal by Nick Folk.

The New York Times - Sports

Early evaluations of the MTO program, however, showed minimal gains for participant families.

Journal of Transport Geography

On the other hand, only minimal gains are to be derived from the use of strictly peripherally segmented liners.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

C1 Small Gains for Stocks The market's three main gauges were little changed, leaving it the market with minimal gains for the week.

The New York Times

With minimal gains on first down plays, the Seahawks have often found themselves behind the chains, trying to play catchup on second and third down.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He dumps it off, and a 49ers defender instantly makes the tackle for a minimal gain.

The Washington Post

That enables him to throw the guard outside as he works back inside to make the tackle for a minimal gain.

The Washington Post

He throws the occasional screen pass, often for minimal gain, and sometimes looks downfield in confusion before galloping out of the pocket.

The New York Times

It is no longer a shock to learn, as we do in the show, that men were sucked under by the mud at Passchendaele for minimal gain when we've seen Jeremy Paxman making the same point on television.

The Guardian

They suggest that a minimal study duration and a minimal gain in HbA1c reduction are necessary to drive a relevant risk reduction in CVD risk, and we provide a quantificative perspective in that respect.

Médecine des Maladies Métaboliques

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing results or outcomes, quantify "minimal gains" with specific numbers or percentages to provide context and demonstrate the scale of the improvements.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of "minimal gains". Clearly acknowledge their limited impact, and do not present them as major accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal gains" functions as a noun phrase, where "minimal" modifies the noun "gains". Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It describes the extent or degree of progress, advantage, or profit achieved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

6.666666666666667%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3.3333333333333335%

Formal & Business

3.3333333333333335%

Academia

3.3333333333333335%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minimal gains" is used to describe small or insignificant improvements. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. While commonly used in various contexts, it is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and general discussions. When using "minimal gains", it's crucial to quantify the gains to provide context and avoid overstating their impact. Alternatives include "slight improvements" or "marginal benefits", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight improvements

Focuses on the small degree of positive change.

marginal benefits

Highlights the edge or boundary of positive effects.

minor advancements

Emphasizes the small progress made.

negligible progress

Underlines the insignificance of the progress.

small returns

Emphasizes the low level of profit or yield.

modest increases

Highlights the moderate scale of the rise.

limited success

Focuses on the restricted extent of achievement.

inconsequential gains

Draws attention to the lack of importance of the gains.

meager advantages

Emphasizes the poor or deficient quality of the benefits.

trivial improvements

Points out the insignificance or lack of importance of the improvements.

FAQs

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

You can use "minimal gains" to describe situations where there are small or insignificant improvements. For example: "Despite the effort, the project resulted in "minimal gains"."

What are some alternatives to saying "minimal gains"?

Alternatives to "minimal gains" include "slight improvements", "marginal benefits", or "minor advancements".

Is it appropriate to use "minimal gains" in formal writing?

Yes, "minimal gains" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure the context clearly indicates that the improvements are small or insignificant. Consider quantifying the gains for clarity.

What is the difference between "minimal gains" and "significant gains"?

"Minimal gains" indicates small or unimportant improvements, while "significant gains" implies substantial and noteworthy advancements. The choice depends on the actual scale of the improvements observed.