minimum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimum of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the least amount or lowest level of something that is acceptable or required. Example: "The project requires a minimum of five participants to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A minimum of 350.

The Guardian - Sport

Minimum of four people.

The New York Times - Travel

"A minimum of 75," she said.

The New York Times

You need a minimum of commonalities.

The Economist

There is a minimum of fuss.

The Economist

There is a minimum of modular scenery.

The New York Times

A minimum of two people is required.

The New York Times - Travel

"There was a minimum of two mistakes".

The Guardian - Sport

It takes a minimum of five years.

The New York Times - Health

The league minimum of $193,000.

The New York Times - Sports

There was a minimum of fire extinguishers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting requirements, use "minimum of" to clearly define the lowest acceptable limit, ensuring expectations are unambiguous. For example, "The essay should be a "minimum of" 500 words".

Common error

Avoid using "minimum of" when you intend to specify an upper limit. Using "maximum of" or "up to" clarifies that you are defining the highest acceptable value instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimum of" functions as a prepositional modifier, typically followed by a noun or noun phrase. It specifies the lowest acceptable quantity, degree, or extent of something. Ludwig AI supports this widely accepted usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minimum of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the lowest acceptable quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts including News & Media and science. The phrase is primarily used to establish requirements or set a lower boundary. For alternatives, consider "at least" or "no less than". To ensure clarity, avoid confusing "minimum of" with terms indicating upper limits such as "maximum of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least

Indicates a quantity not less than a specified amount, directly replacing "minimum of" with a more concise expression.

no less than

Emphasizes that the quantity is not smaller than the stated amount, providing a slightly more formal alternative.

a lower limit of

Formally specifies a boundary that cannot be crossed on the lower end, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

a floor of

Implies a base level or starting point, useful in contexts where a minimum standard is being set.

not under

Simply indicates that the value must be above a given number, shorter and more direct.

a threshold of

Suggests a level that must be reached or exceeded, often used in scientific or regulatory contexts.

as a baseline

Highlights the minimum as a reference point for comparison, often used in performance or quality measurement.

at the very least

Emphasizes the minimum as the absolute lowest acceptable value, adding a sense of urgency or necessity.

a bare minimum of

Stresses that the amount is the smallest possible and perhaps insufficient, implying potential inadequacy.

starting from

Indicates a beginning quantity to which more might be added, commonly used when planning or estimating.

FAQs

How to use "minimum of" in a sentence?

The phrase "minimum of" is used to specify the smallest acceptable quantity or degree. For instance, "The meeting will require a "minimum of" two hours" indicates that the meeting will last at least two hours.

What can I say instead of "minimum of"?

You can use alternatives like "at least", "no less than", or "a lower limit of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a minimum of three" or "at minimum three"?

"A "minimum of" three" is the standard and grammatically correct phrasing. "At minimum three" is less common and might sound awkward to some speakers. Using "at least three" is another correct and often preferred alternative.

What's the difference between "minimum of" and "maximum of"?

"Minimum of" indicates the lowest acceptable amount or degree, while "maximum of" specifies the highest permissible amount or degree. For example, "The temperature should be a "minimum of" 20 degrees Celsius" versus "The temperature should be a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius".