minimal surplus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal surplus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a very small amount of excess or additional quantity beyond what is necessary. Example: "The project was completed with minimal surplus, ensuring that resources were used efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ms. Wyman announced the surplus figures as she continued to predict a minimal surplus of just $150,000 for the current fiscal year.

The New York Times

A preliminary examination indicates that the ethnographic patterns are most consistent with the interpretation that the earliest farmers to inhabit the American Southwest produced at least a minimal surplus of domesticated plants.

Journal of Archaeological Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We consider a setting where the social planner desires minimal budget surplus.

European Journal of Operational Research

(2) Design Language establishes the level of embellishment (from minimal to surplus) and communication of concept (from indirectly to directly), as defined by the firm's design philosophy, which then informs the design elements expression.

Huffington Post

As filter-feeders, they require no food inputs (the biggest challenge facing fish farmers) and produce minimal "outputs" (eg, surplus feed and effluent).

The Guardian

DROs enable consumers with debts of less than £15,000 and minimal assets or surplus income to have their borrowings written off, without having to enter full bankruptcy.

The Guardian - Business

This surplus is minimal at the clinic level and increases significantly at the health center and hospital levels-most likely due to the informal task shifting-that happens when advanced clinical staff, such as PAs, are unavailable to do the tasks required at these facilities.

Human Resources for Health

China has pegged 8percentt growth as the minimal level desired to absorb surplus labor and ensure social stability.

The New York Times

The regular morning drinkers are men who have reached retirement age and been met by minimal disposable income and a surplus of free time.

Vice

We agreed her involvement would be minimal, because she had about as little surplus time as I had financing.

The New York Times

High decision elasticity indicates that the third party significantly alters the division of the surplus even if there are only minimal differences in the investment levels.

Journal of Organization Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial or resource management, use "minimal surplus" to convey efficient use and avoid overestimation. This shows a responsible approach to planning and allocation.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal surplus" when you actually mean that there's just enough to cover needs. "Minimal surplus" implies there's slightly more than needed, not just the right amount. Instead, use "sufficient resources" or "adequate funding" to indicate covering the needs without any excess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal surplus" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("minimal") with a noun ("surplus") to quantify the amount of excess. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies a very small quantity beyond what is necessary. For example, "Ms. Wyman announced the surplus figures as she continued to predict a minimal surplus of just $150,000 for the current fiscal year."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minimal surplus" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a very small excess. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While relatively uncommon, its appearance in news and scientific publications suggests its appropriateness in neutral to professional contexts. Alternatives like "slight excess" or "small remainder" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the quantity, avoiding confusion with phrases that imply sufficiency without excess. Remember to be creative and smart, and use Ludwig to compose good papers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight excess

Replaces "minimal" with "slight" offering a more direct synonym.

small remainder

Substitutes "surplus" with "remainder" focusing on what's left over.

marginal excess

Uses "marginal" to emphasize the small and almost insignificant nature of the surplus.

negligible surplus

Highlights that the surplus is so small it's practically not worth considering.

barely sufficient surplus

Emphasizes that the surplus barely meets the required amount and is only just enough.

limited excess

Indicates that the surplus is restricted or not abundant.

modest surplus

Uses "modest" to suggest the surplus is humble or not extravagant.

token surplus

Implies the surplus is symbolic rather than substantial.

tiny excess

Replaces minimal with "tiny" for descriptive difference.

superfluity

Puts the focus of minimal to the total sum of the superfluity.

FAQs

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

You can use "minimal surplus" to describe situations where there is a slight excess of something. For example, "The project was completed with "minimal surplus" of materials, demonstrating efficient resource management".

What's the difference between "minimal surplus" and "slight surplus"?

Both "minimal surplus" and "slight surplus" suggest a small excess, but "minimal" implies it's the smallest amount possible, while "slight" simply indicates it's not a large quantity.

What can I say instead of "minimal surplus" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "negligible surplus" or "marginal excess". These phrases emphasize the small and almost insignificant nature of the surplus.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "minimal surplus"?

The phrase "minimal surplus" isn't technically incorrect, but it might be misleading if the surplus is more than just a small amount. Ensure the context accurately reflects a very small quantity beyond what's necessary.