minimizes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimizes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree. Example: "The new software minimizes the risk of data loss during updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Obama administration is at least paying attention – as a new White House report on "Big Data" demonstrates – but, curiously (or not), the report ignores government surveillance and spying and minimizes much of the damage we could face from the burgeoning data collection by companies and others.

The Guardian - Opinion

Standard economic theory suggests that paying back loans based on their interest rates, from highest to lowest, should be preferable since this approach minimizes the total interest paid.

The Economist

The broader economic and political context in which organizational and industrial relations developed has been one that places a high value on the role of the free market and minimizes government intervention in private enterprise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This system minimizes the amount of structural steel required for a building of its great height.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hot pressing of ceramic powders, for example, minimizes the number of defects at which cracks can start, and the addition of small amounts of certain metals to intermetallics strengthens the cohesion among crystal grains at which fractures normally develop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This tumbling exposes all sides of the food to the cold air and minimizes the resistance to heat transfer at the surface of the food.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The occupation of separate orbitals minimizes the repulsion energy between the electrons and hence leads to a lower energy than if they were confined to the same region of space.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, the folded conformation of a protein molecule is believed to be the one that minimizes a certain nonlinear function of the distances between the nuclei of its component atoms and these distances themselves are nonlinear functions of the positions of the nuclei.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"At this late date, prompt passage of the USA Freedom Act by the Senate is the best way to minimize any possible disruption of our ability to protect the American people," Clapper said on Friday.

The Guardian

"That," the official continued, "is why the statute requires that there be minimization procedures to ensure that when communications of, or concerning, US persons are acquired in the course of lawful collection under Section 702, that information is minimized and is retained and disseminated only when appropriate.

The Guardian - Opinion

First up, Denzel: The core of the team has stayed together for another season so the impact of the coaching change has been minimized for now, but I think in the match against LA you saw some fairly aggressive subs, all of which made a positive impact on the match.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minimizes" to suggest a proactive effort to reduce something, rather than a passive occurrence. This adds a sense of control and intention to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "minimizes" in very informal or casual writing. Simpler words like "reduces" or "lessens" are often more appropriate in everyday conversations and less formal texts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "minimizes" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It indicates that a subject is performing the action of reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree. Ludwig AI's examples show it often introduces desired outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

43%

Science

24%

News & Media

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimizes" functions as a verb to describe the act of reducing something to its smallest possible extent. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts like encyclopedias, science, and news media. To use "minimizes" effectively, ensure you clearly indicate what is being reduced and consider using synonyms like "reduces" or "lessens" in informal settings. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "minimizes" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduces

Emphasizes the act of making something smaller in amount, degree, or size.

lessens

Highlights a decrease in intensity, degree, or amount.

mitigates

Focuses on alleviating or reducing the severity of something negative.

alleviates

Specifically implies easing pain, suffering, or difficulty.

curtails

Stresses the act of cutting short or restricting something.

diminishes

Indicates a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

abates

Suggests a lessening in force or intensity, often temporary.

decreases

Denotes a straightforward reduction in quantity or value.

downplays

Emphasizes the act of representing something as less significant than it is.

trims

Implies a careful or precise reduction, often to improve efficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "minimizes" in a sentence?

The word "minimizes" is used to describe the action of reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree. For example: "This approach "minimizes the risk" of errors."

What's a good alternative to "minimizes"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "minimizes" include "reduces", "lessens", or "mitigates". Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "minimizes the impact"?

Yes, it is correct to say "minimizes the impact". This phrase is commonly used to describe actions taken to reduce the negative effects of something. For instance, "The new policy "minimizes the impact on the environment"."

What is the difference between "minimizes" and "optimizes"?

"Minimizes" means to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree, while "optimizes" means to make something as effective or functional as possible. One reduces a negative, while the other enhances a positive.