minimal number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the least amount or smallest quantity of something required or needed in a particular context. Example: "To complete the project, we need to ensure that we have a minimal number of resources allocated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

with a minimal number of tools.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Small cities such as Zurich with a minimal number of tourist attractions are recommended.

The Guardian - Travel

European pros have a choice: join the US Tour, or be restricted to a minimal number of its tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

Dr. Church said there might be an alternative approach that would "alarm a minimal number of people".

The New York Times - Science

The minimal number of bank failures in the middle of the decade bred widespread complacency among all financial regulators.

The New York Times

On the night the 737 arrived the authorities asked for a minimal number of staff in the control tower.

The Guardian

We may need to continue with a very minimal number of casuals to cover holiday and sickness absence," Parrott added.

The Guardian

The minimal number of contiguous voxels was set at 10.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The project began with a minimal number of group members.

ROBOMECH Journal

The design of iGEC has three objectives to be simultaneously optimized: maximal classification accuracy, minimal number of rules, and minimal number of used genes.

Biosystems

The idea, as with Ning, is to set up a network in a minimal number of steps.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness or efficiency, prioritize using the "minimal number of" resources, steps, or elements necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentences when using "minimal number of". Opt for direct and clear phrasing to ensure the focus remains on the small quantity being emphasized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal number of" functions as a pre-quantifier followed by a noun and a preposition. Ludwig examples showcase its use in modifying nouns to indicate a small or reduced quantity. It describes a requirement or aim to keep something at its lowest possible count.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal number of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English to denote the smallest possible quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal settings. While "minimal number of" is often interchangeable with alternatives like "fewest possible number of" or "smallest number of", it's crucial to maintain clarity and avoid overly complex sentence structures. When using this phrase, prioritize conciseness and ensure that the emphasis remains on the restricted quantity being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewest possible number of

Emphasizes the absolute lowest quantity, highlighting efficiency and necessity.

smallest number of

Focuses on the size of the quantity, suitable for comparing relative amounts.

least amount of

Shifts the emphasis to the quantity as a continuous measure rather than a discrete count.

reduced number of

Implies a decrease from a previous, larger quantity.

limited number of

Suggests a restriction or constraint on the quantity.

negligible quantity of

Highlights the insignificance of the amount.

scarce quantity of

Emphasizes the rarity and limited availability.

insignificant number of

Points out the unimportance of the count.

trivial number of

Indicates that the count is so small as to be almost inconsequential.

a handful of

Uses an idiom to describe a very small quantity, suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "minimal number of" in a sentence?

Use "minimal number of" to describe a situation where you want to emphasize that only a small quantity or amount is needed or present. For example: "We need the "fewest possible number of" staff on duty during the holidays."

What's the difference between "minimal number of" and "small number of"?

"Minimal number of" suggests that the quantity is as low as possible, often by design or necessity. "Small number of" simply indicates a quantity that is not large, without necessarily implying it's the lowest possible.

Which is correct, "minimal number of" or "minimum number of"?

Both "minimal number of" and "minimum number of" are correct and often interchangeable. "Minimal" emphasizes that something is as small as it can be, while "minimum" often refers to a required or specified lower limit.

What can I say instead of "minimal number of"?

You can use alternatives like "fewest possible number of", "smallest number of", or "least amount of", depending on the context.