minimal question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is straightforward, simple, or requires minimal elaboration. Example: "In our discussion, I would like to start with a minimal question to clarify our main topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She asked me a minimal question about my trip from New York, and showed me to the guest room — until then, I'd had no idea where I would be staying.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both methods of assessment help ensure that patients only respond to questions that are relevant to their specific level of disability and that only minimal questions need to be answered by patients, while retaining or surpassing the measurement precision of classical instruments [ 12].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The magnitude of change is minimal and questions the effectiveness of this intervention to bring about changes in tactile acuity and thus cortical representation.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Consequently, waiving parental permission could be accepted when risk of harm is minimal and questions included in research are related to an activity for which adolescents are not considered legally as children.

BMC Medical Ethics

While results are good, grumblings about this will no doubt be minimal, but the question now is whether they can sustain that level of intensity through the season.

BBC

However, the downside to this was the fact that some things felt as though they weren't completely explained, and some issues were left unaddressed simply due to the fact that the majority of the book consisted of his thoughts, with minimal speech and questions.

The Guardian

Also, in Mason and Samantha's childhood, a car ride with their dad involved him scolding them for being vague and minimal in answering questions because he did not want to be "that dad," then them proposing that he talk a little more about himself too and them all agreeing that the conversation should just become natural.

Huffington Post

Nevertheless, potential recall bias should be minimal as the questions were asking about their attitudes, usual practice or the most recent experiences.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Conclusion In determining the outcome of the care process, triagists often reached a conclusion after asking a minimal number of questions.

British Medical Journal

The minimal definition has one question on pain characteristics (site, symptoms, and time frame), and a second question on functional limitation due to LBP.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In the fast-paced world of pediatric primary care, where these medications are commonly prescribed, this question receives minimal attention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minimal question" when you want to emphasize that an inquiry is basic, direct, and requires little elaboration or complex thinking. It is effective in academic, professional, and casual settings.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "minimal question" can sound repetitive or less sophisticated in formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "basic inquiry" or "fundamental question" to add variety and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "minimal" modifies the noun "question". It describes the nature of the question being asked, implying it is basic or requires little elaboration. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minimal question" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a simple or basic inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase finds use in both scientific and news contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "basic question" or "simple inquiry" to add nuance. In summary, "minimal question" serves as a functional, though not particularly common, descriptor for straightforward inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple question

Replaces "minimal" with "simple", emphasizing the lack of complexity.

basic question

Substitutes "minimal" with "basic", highlighting the fundamental nature of the inquiry.

elementary question

Uses "elementary" instead of "minimal", indicating a question suitable for beginners.

straightforward question

Replaces "minimal" with "straightforward", focusing on the directness of the inquiry.

brief question

Emphasizes the conciseness of the question, rather than its complexity.

small question

Highlights the limited scope or importance of the question.

minor question

Indicates that the question is of little significance.

cursory question

Suggests a question asked quickly and without much thought.

perfunctory question

Implies that the question is asked as a formality.

rudimentary question

Highlights the underdeveloped or basic nature of the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "minimal question" to describe a simple or basic inquiry, such as: "She only asked a "minimal question" about my trip."

What are some alternatives to "minimal question"?

Alternatives include "simple question", "basic question", or "elementary question" depending on the context.

Is "minimal question" formal or informal?

"Minimal question" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in highly formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "fundamental inquiry".

What's the difference between "minimal question" and "superficial question"?

"Minimal question" implies a basic or straightforward question, while "superficial question" suggests a question lacking depth or significance. The key difference lies in whether the question is simple by design or by a lack of thoroughness.