minimal to nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal to nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition where something is very small or hardly present at all. Example: "The support for the initiative was minimal to nonexistent, leading to its eventual failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Systems and formal planning are minimal to nonexistent.

Harvard Business Review

The festival's popcorn quotient is minimal to nonexistent.

The New York Times

Some squads loosely report to a state law enforcement agency, but oversight tends to be minimal to nonexistent.

The Washington Post

But with the Indians still in the race for the American League wild card, Shapiro said, "The chances of us trading him are extremely minimal to nonexistent".

The New York Times - Sports

But Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral pediatrician in Walnut Creek, Calif., said evidence that diet plays a significant role in most childhood behavioral disorders was minimal to nonexistent.

The New York Times - Health

According to military officers involved in the program and Defense Department documents, effective civilian oversight and coordination with the State Department or National Security Council is minimal to nonexistent, a view disputed by Holmes.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Once harvesting begins, the film explains, they work 14 hours a day, seven days a week, earning less than $1 a day with minimal-to-nonexistent health care.

The New York Times

The minimal-to-nonexistent representation of African American women in these videos may seem trivial ("it's just a video," "there are more important issues of racism in Alabama to worry about").

Huffington Post

On the major issues — not just health care, but financial regulation and the economic stimulus package, among others — Mr. McConnell has held Republican defections to somewhere between minimal and nonexistent, allowing him to slow the Democratic agenda if not defeat aspects of it.

The New York Times

Unions are weak to nonexistent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their proposals range from promising to nonexistent, thoughtful to ludicrous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minimal to nonexistent" when you want to emphasize that something is so small it's practically not there. This phrase adds a stronger sense of absence than simply saying something is "minimal".

Common error

Avoid using "minimal to nonexistent" repeatedly in your writing. While effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal to nonexistent" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe the degree or extent of something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as observed across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minimal to nonexistent" serves as an adjective phrase to describe something that is either very small or virtually absent. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, though its frequency is uncommon. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts, carrying a neutral register leaning towards formal. When using this phrase, emphasize the near-absence of something, but be mindful of overuse. Consider synonyms such as "virtually absent" or "scarcely present" to vary your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nonexistent

Replaces "minimal to" with "almost", indicating near absence.

virtually absent

Substitutes the entire phrase with a synonymous expression.

scarcely present

Uses "scarcely" to convey a minimal presence.

hardly any

A more informal way to indicate a small quantity approaching zero.

approaching zero

A more technical term for minimal

vanishingly small

Emphasizes the extremely small nature of something.

next to nothing

An idiomatic expression indicating a very small amount.

practically nil

Uses "nil" to denote a zero quantity.

little to none

Emphasizes the lack of quantity or presence.

insignificant to absent

Highlights the lack of significance combined with near absence.

FAQs

How can I use "minimal to nonexistent" in a sentence?

Use "minimal to nonexistent" to describe something that is almost absent or has a very small presence. For example: "The evidence supporting his claim was "minimal to nonexistent"".

What's a formal alternative to "minimal to nonexistent"?

In more formal writing, consider using "virtually absent" or "negligible" instead of "minimal to nonexistent". These options maintain a similar meaning but sound more professional.

What can I say instead of "minimal to nonexistent" when describing a risk?

When discussing risk, you might use phrases like "very low risk", "negligible risk", or "insignificant risk" as alternatives to "minimal to nonexistent".

Is it correct to say 'minimal to non-existent' with a hyphen?

While "minimal to nonexistent" is generally preferred, "minimal to non-existent" with a hyphen is also acceptable but less common. The hyphenated form emphasizes the compound nature of the phrase but isn't necessary for clarity.