minimizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "minimizing" is correct.
It is commonly used in contexts where reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree is discussed. Example: "The team is focused on minimizing costs while maintaining quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A simpler technique is the minimization of a particular target function, e.g., the minimizing the sum of the squares of the distances between the prediction of the statistical hypothesis and the data points, also known as the method of least squares.

SEP

"It is a balanced compromise solution that gives hardworking families a raise while minimizing the risks of job losses in our city," Democratic mayor Greg Fischer said.

The Guardian - Business

The senator from Arizona must take the blame for the nasty tone of his campaign.James Lindsay BeijingSIR - Your paper gained my admiration in the late 1970s for its consistent and clear support for free trade, for minimizing the regulatory and tax burdens on the entrepreneurial players in the economy, and for encouraging a bit of backbone in standing up to the adversaries of the free world.

The Economist

One of the important requirements in the design of a terminal complex is minimizing the time needed to service an aircraft when it is transiting an airport.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, a scheme exists for extrapolating the step size to zero in order to find the change in the variables over a relatively short time span, thereby minimizing the accumulation of error from this source.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Born in Qatar, Isaac became a monk of Bet-Qatraje in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, and was consecrated bishop of Nineveh, near modern Mosul, Iraq, c. 670 by the head of the East Syrian Nestorian Church, an independent Christian body that adhered to a doctrine accentuating Christ's human personhood while minimizing his divinity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The treatment of insomnia involves establishing good sleep hygiene: maintaining a consistent schedule of when to retire and awaken, setting a comfortable room temperature, and minimizing such disruptive stimuli as noise and light.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The advantage of dampening is that it is possible to use less ink and less pressure, thus minimizing the risk of clogging the image.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such learning often involves visual cues as well as chemical cues and increases foraging efficiency, minimizing time spent on fruitless searching when suitable resources are abundant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even more influential in the 20th century was his Law As a Means to an End, 2 vol. (1877 83; originally in German), which maintained that the purpose of law was the protection of individual and societal interests by coordinating them and thus minimizing occasions for conflict.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Suppose administrators are using a nonlinear model in the formulation of economic policies designed to keep GDP ever increasing while minimizing unemployment (among achieving other socio-economic goals).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, clarify what you are "minimizing". Be specific; for instance, "minimizing risks" rather than just "minimizing".

Common error

While "minimizing" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "reducing", "lessening", or "mitigating" to enhance readability and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "minimizing" is that of a present participle, often used in progressive verb forms (e.g., "is minimizing") or as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun). Ludwig provides examples of both uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimizing" functions as a present participle or gerund, denoting the action of reducing something to the smallest possible extent. It's grammatically sound and, according to Ludwig AI, commonly used. Its formality makes it suitable for scientific, academic, and professional contexts. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "reducing" or "mitigating" for enhanced clarity and impact. Ensure you specify what you are "minimizing" to avoid ambiguity. By following these guidelines, you'll effectively use "minimizing" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reducing

This is a more general term for making something smaller or less.

Lessen

Implies a decrease in amount, degree, or intensity.

Mitigating

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

Diminishing

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

Alleviating

Specifically refers to easing pain or suffering.

Curtailing

Implies a restriction or reduction, often in spending or activities.

Trimming

Suggests removing excess or unnecessary parts to reduce size or cost.

Cutting back

An informal way to express reducing consumption or expenditure.

Scaling down

Implies reducing the size or scope of something, like a project or operation.

Dwindling

Suggests a continuous and noticeable decrease.

FAQs

How to use "minimizing" in a sentence?

Use "minimizing" to describe the action of reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree. For example, "The company is focused on "minimizing costs" to increase profits."

What can I say instead of "minimizing"?

You can use alternatives like "reducing", "lessening", or "mitigating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "minimizing" or "reducing"?

Both "minimizing" and "reducing" are correct, but "minimizing" often implies a greater effort to reach the smallest possible amount, while "reducing" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "minimizing" and "mitigating"?

"Minimizing" generally means reducing something, while "mitigating" specifically refers to reducing the severity or impact of something negative, such as risks or damages.