minimally able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimally able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very basic or limited capability to perform a task or function. Example: "The software is minimally able to process data, but it lacks advanced features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Evaluations at the Clinic showed Green to be minimally able to cope with the world, and her treating physician reported that Green had been found to have the emotional capabilities of "a very young child", pursuant to unspecified "life experiences" she had undergone as a preadolescent.

Wikipedia

And when these properly quantified and functionally-characterized hits are stratified into relevant cohorts, dissectHMMER is minimally able to postulate the generalized function of the query sequence.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Others were in what is known as a minimally conscious state, able to track objects and follow commands once in a while, but not predictably.

The New York Times - Health

Laser ablation (LA) with a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd YAG) laser is a minimally invasive approach able to achieve a high rate of complete tissue necrosis.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Minimally, she must be able to get to the side of the pool if she falls in.

Huffington Post

Lee stated at the time: "At least minimally, we should be able to know which nation we're planning to attack and have some input into that.

Huffington Post

From its balcony he was able to minimally restore order, promising there would be a fair inquiry into the shootings if the crowd dispersed.

Wikipedia

We wanted to be able to minimally detect an increase from 50% (P1) to 80% (P2) in any rate after initiation of the intervention.

BMC Public Health

To our knowledge, this is the first minimally invasive murine model able to create damage near the MTJ with a single stretch of a biarticular muscle while retaining the intact MTU.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Perioperative outcomes showed that the minimally invasive techniques were able to confer significant advantages in terms of less intraoperative blood lost, as well as good pathological outcomes in terms of distance of distal margin, involvement of CRM, and number of lymph nodes harvested, albeit with significantly longer operating times.

BioMed Research International

Dr. Myriam J. Curet, chief medical adviser to Intuitive Surgical, which makes the da Vinci systems, did not dispute the study's findings, but said the important message was that more women were able to receive minimally invasive surgeries because more options were available.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimally able to", ensure the context clearly indicates the limitations or constraints affecting the ability. For example, "The patient was minimally able to communicate after the surgery."

Common error

Avoid using "minimally able to" when describing situations where a stronger capability exists. Using it inaccurately can undermine the intended meaning and create confusion. For example, don't say "He was minimally able to complete the project" if he completed it effectively and efficiently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimally able to" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a verb, indicating a limited capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a very basic or limited ability to perform a task. The examples show it used in contexts ranging from physical abilities to cognitive functions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minimally able to" describes a situation where someone or something possesses a limited capacity to perform an action. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It's commonly found in scientific and news media sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the limitations affecting the ability are clearly indicated. Alternatives like "scarcely able to" or ""barely able to"" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely capable of

Indicates a very slight degree of capability, emphasizing the difficulty or near impossibility of performing a task.

scarcely able to

Highlights the limited ability to do something, suggesting a struggle or lack of resources.

just able to

Conveys the idea of succeeding by a narrow margin, indicating minimal competence.

hardly able to

Emphasizes the improbability of success, indicating a significant lack of capacity.

slightly capable of

Focuses on the minor extent of the ability, suggesting a limited proficiency.

marginally competent to

Highlights that someone barely possesses required skill, knowledge, qualification, or capacity.

somewhat equipped to

Highlights the fact that someone is prepared to only a certain degree.

almost incapable of

Emphasizes the relative inability to do something.

inadequately prepared to

Highlights the fact that someone lacks the resources needed to complete a task.

weakly positioned to

Highlights the fact that someone is at a disadvantage when it comes to completing a task.

FAQs

How can I use "minimally able to" in a sentence?

Use "minimally able to" to describe a situation where someone or something has a very limited capacity to perform a task or function. For example, "The injured athlete was "barely able to" walk after the injury."

What are some alternatives to "minimally able to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "scarcely able to", "just able to", or "hardly able to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "minimally able to" or "slightly able to"?

The choice between "minimally able to" and "slightly able to" depends on the degree of ability you wish to emphasize. "Minimally able to" suggests a more significant limitation than "slightly able to".

What is the difference between "minimally conscious" and "minimally able to"?

"Minimally conscious" is a medical term used to describe a state of consciousness, while "minimally able to" describes a limited capacity or ability to perform a specific action or task. They are not interchangeable.