minimal information

USAGE SUMMARY

"minimal information" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which only the most necessary facts are known. For example: "Given the minimal information we have, it's hard to make a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We had such minimal information," he said.

The New York Times

I work on the basis of minimal information.

The Guardian

Members of the commission grudgingly pledged to share minimal information.

The New York Times

It's amazing how much publicity you can generate with minimal information".

The Guardian

The minimal information about Liquidix that has been released does not include any financial statements.

The New York Times

Airlines' Web sites generally contain minimal information on senior coupons, so start with a phone call.

The New York Times - Travel

Instead of offering even the most minimal information from the war zone, the Kremlin was chastising journalists in public -- at times by name.

The New York Times

The author's written sketches, while useful, tend to be thumbnail, and diners are encouraged to look elsewhere if they want more than minimal information about restaurants.

The New York Times - Travel

But each reviewer found that Officer Loehmann had been placed in a volatile situation with minimal information and had acted reasonably in shooting Tamir.

The New York Times

Minimal information ("On the Baroque table are a clock and two candlesticks from France") is still delivered with an indifference bordering on revulsion.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Gilbert added that proving identity with only minimal information is a problem, whatever form of communication is used to reach customer support.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations where information is deliberately withheld, consider using "minimal information" to highlight the controlled release of details.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal information" if there is absolutely no information available. "No information" would be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal information" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a state of having very little information. It's employed across diverse contexts to emphasize scarcity of data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minimal information" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe situations where very little data or knowledge is available. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for describing scenarios constrained by data scarcity. Its versatility is evident across diverse fields, from scientific research and news reporting to business environments. The phrase commonly serves to highlight limitations, justify decisions made under uncertainty, or emphasize the necessity for additional details. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure that "minimal information" accurately reflects the degree of informational constraint, choosing alternatives like "limited data" or "scant details" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited data

Emphasizes the restriction on the amount of data available.

little knowledge

Focuses on the state of knowing very little about something.

scant details

Focuses more on the lack of details provided.

rudimentary information

Highlights the basic and undeveloped nature of the information.

sparse data

Emphasizes the scattered and incomplete nature of the data.

basic facts

Stresses the fundamental or rudimentary nature of the information.

superficial knowledge

Emphasizes the lack of depth and thoroughness in the knowledge.

fragmentary details

Highlights the incomplete and disconnected nature of the information.

meager facts

Emphasizes the inadequacy or insufficiency of the facts.

bare essentials

Highlights only the most necessary pieces of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "minimal information" to describe situations where very little data or knowledge is available, such as: "Despite the "minimal information" provided, we were able to make a decision."

What is a synonym for "minimal information"?

Synonyms for "minimal information" include "limited data", "scant details", or "basic facts" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "minimal information"?

It is appropriate to use "minimal information" when you want to emphasize the lack of comprehensive details or data in a particular situation or subject.

What's the difference between "minimal information" and "basic information"?

"Minimal information" suggests the least amount of data necessary, while "basic information" refers to fundamental or essential details. The degree of detail is what sets the two apart.