minimise

USAGE SUMMARY

'minimise' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is decreased or diminished to a minimum amount. For example, "The company implemented measures to minimise employee turnover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The documents handed over to HMRC allegedly show how Google's London sales staff would negotiate and sign contracts with British customers, and cash was paid into a UK bank account, but the deals were technically booked through its Dublin office to minimise its liabilities here.

The Guardian - Tech

Launching the initiative Gordon Brown said earlier today: "Eco-towns will help to relieve the shortage of affordable homes to rent and buy, and minimise the effects of climate change on a major scale.

The Guardian

Labour voters who really want to minimise the Tories' share of seats could consider voting Ukip in Boston and Skegness, Rochester and Strood, South Basildon and East Thurrock and in Castle Point.

The Guardian

Societal attitudes need to change in order to minimise the stigma underpinning sex work and consequently reduce the harm that prejudice has on sex workers.

The Guardian

The Queensland government found Waratah hadn't taken "all reasonable measures to minimise harm", setting a new deadline for the clean-up work.

The Guardian

Try to fold items carefully using the maximum dimensions of the case as fewer folds take up less room and minimise creasing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We should be getting a lot smarter about using infrastructure in order to minimise the amount of dumping, especially when ports are operating at 50% capacity on the reef".

The Guardian

It's become easy to dismiss Latham, and on cue, his statement that "the best way of minimising domestic violence is to minimise poverty" was was rightly howled down as simplistic, but also because it doesn't fit the acceptable narrative around this crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wallace also said that Downing Street had repeatedly attempted to delay publication of the 32 reports that make up the review – and the evidence submitted to them – until MPs were not sitting, in order to minimise the attention that the press and public would pay to them.

The Guardian

"We're also promoting new products, such as Sustainable Mail, to help our customers minimise the environmental impact of their advertising mailings and demonstrate their commitment to good environmental practices," Budd adds.

The Guardian

I have become better with money but there was a big reality check at first – and there are times when I have lived off porridge and pea soup!" Jaisal Patel, 22, BA modern languages and business, University of Liverpool "I graduated this summer and am starting a job as a wetstock data analyst at a petroleum management company, helping to minimise leaks and theft at garage forecourts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what you are trying to "minimise". For example, instead of saying "minimise costs", specify "minimise operational costs" for better understanding.

Common error

While "minimise" is generally acceptable, consider stronger verbs like "eliminate" or "eradicate" when complete removal is the goal. Overusing "minimise" can dilute your message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "minimise" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, supporting its function as an action word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis shows that "minimise" is a versatile verb commonly used to express the act of reducing something to the smallest possible degree. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its frequent usage across news, business, and scientific contexts. While synonymous with terms like "reduce" and "mitigate", "minimise" carries a specific nuance of aiming for the absolute minimum. When using "minimise", remember to specify the target of reduction for clarity and consider stronger alternatives like "eliminate" for situations requiring complete removal. Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce

Focuses on lessening the quantity or size of something, similar to minimising but without necessarily implying reaching the absolute minimum.

decrease

Indicates a lessening in number, size, or degree, closely related to minimising but can also refer to gradual reductions.

lessen

Emphasizes a reduction in intensity or degree, similar to minimising but often used for abstract concepts like pain or difficulty.

mitigate

Implies lessening the severity of something negative, like risks or damages, offering a nuance not always present in minimise.

alleviate

Specifically refers to reducing suffering or discomfort, providing a more compassionate connotation compared to minimise.

curtail

Highlights a reduction or restriction, particularly of something that is considered excessive, adding a different emphasis to minimise.

abbreviate

Focuses on shortening the length of something, offering a specific type of reduction not always implied by minimise.

trim

Implies removing excess or unnecessary parts to achieve a desired form, giving a more precise or aesthetic sense than minimise.

downsize

Suggests reducing in scale or size, often in a business context, providing a concrete and practical implication that minimise may not always convey.

cut back

Indicates a reduction in spending or consumption, offering a specific economic context that minimise may lack.

FAQs

How can I use "minimise" in a sentence?

You can use "minimise" to describe efforts to reduce something undesirable. For example, "We need to "minimise the risk" of errors" or "The goal is to "minimise environmental impact"".

What words can I use instead of "minimise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reduce", "decrease", "lessen", or "mitigate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "minimise" or "minimize" the correct spelling?

"Minimise" is the British English spelling, while "minimize" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but use the spelling appropriate for your audience.

What's the difference between "minimise" and "mitigate"?

"Minimise" generally means to reduce something to the smallest possible amount. "Mitigate", on the other hand, implies lessening the severity or impact of something negative, such as risks or damages. You mitigate risks to "minimise losses".