minimize the number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimize the number" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English
It is commonly used in mathematical and statistical contexts to refer to reducing the quantity or amount of something. It can also be used in everyday language to mean reducing the number of something. Example: Our goal is to minimize the number of errors in our data analysis.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Designers try to minimize the number of 20-inch seats, he said.

The New York Times

Finally, the government could help minimize the number of new job losses by promoting work-share programs.

The New York Times

I wanted to minimize the number of messages waiting for her when she returned.

The New York Times

Minimize the number of institutions whose failure would matter and subject them to tougher regulation.

The New York Times

This will minimize the number of unnecessary surgical biopsies, as well as reduce health care costs.

The New York Times

Minimize the number of coupling nodes.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Everything is done to minimize the number of taps.

TechCrunch

They adjusted the rankings to minimize the number of violations.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

All efforts were made to minimize the number of animals used in each experimental group.

Plosone

All efforts were made to minimize the number and suffering of animals used in these experiments.

Plosone

Every effort was made to minimize the number of animals and their suffering.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal or scientific writing, ensure that the context specifies what is being minimized to avoid ambiguity about the target of optimization.

Common error

Do not use "minimize the number" with uncountable nouns. For substances like water, air or abstract concepts like time, use "minimize the amount" instead. Writing "minimize the number of water" is a clear grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimize the number" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "minimize" acts as the action verb and "the number" serves as the direct object. In the context of Ludwig AI data, it often appears as part of an infinitive phrase (to minimize) or a declarative statement regarding system objectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimize the number" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for describing the reduction of countable items to their lowest possible state. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in Science and News & Media, highlighting its role in experimental design and policy reporting. It is distinct from "reduce the number" by its focus on reaching an absolute minimum rather than a relative decrease. When writing, remember to pair it strictly with countable nouns and use it when you wish to convey a sense of precision, efficiency and objective-driven action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep the number to a minimum

Uses a more idiomatic structure to express the same goal of optimization.

minimise the figure

Utilizes the British English spelling and focuses on a specific statistical digit.

reduce the count

Focuses specifically on the numerical tally rather than the abstract concept of quantity.

limit the quantity

Broadens the scope to potentially include non-countable items, though often used interchangeably.

diminish the occurrence

More academic and focuses on the event of happening rather than the items themselves.

curtail the total

Suggests a more active or forced reduction of a cumulative sum.

lower the frequency

Specifically refers to how often something happens rather than how many items exist.

shrink the tally

Informal and evocative, emphasizing the visual reduction of a recorded score.

decrease the volume

Commonly used for physical size or mass but can occasionally refer to large quantities.

prune the list

A metaphorical expression used when the number refers to entries in a registry or document.

FAQs

How do I use "minimize the number" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a goal or a method, such as: "The software was designed to "minimize the number" of steps required to complete a task".

What is the difference between "minimize the number" and "reduce the number"?

While "reduce the number" simply means making it smaller, "minimize the number" implies a goal of reaching the absolute lowest possible point or a specific optimized floor.

Can I use "minimize the count" instead?

Yes, "minimize the count" is a valid alternative, though it is more frequently seen in programming or inventory management than in general prose.

Is "minimize the number" too formal for daily conversation?

It is somewhat formal. In casual speech, people often say "cut down on" or "keep it low" rather than using technical verbs like minimize.