Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
minus viable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "minus viable" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate something is not viable or feasible, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "The proposed solution is minus viable due to budget constraints."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Bacterial reduction was calculated as viable colonies before exposure to a disinfectant minus viable colonies after exposure.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
The feeding motor neuron M4 was reported to be essential [ 5], but it has since been found that M4-minus worms are viable and fertile when grown on small bacteria (JT Chiang, M Steciuk, B Shtonda, and L Avery, unpublished).
Science
In this assay, the transgenic BicDwt construct was able to completely rescue viability and fertility of the null mutants, while a female sterile allele BicDPA66, reconstructed in the same mini gene (BicDA40V), produces viable but sterile females.
Science
Moreover, the complete absence of viable intestine-minus mosaics strongly indicates that PHA-1 is required in this tissue.
Science
This strain segregated array-minus Pin progeny, array-plus viable progeny and array-plus viable progeny that were mosaic for inheritance of the array; array-minus non-Pin fbn-1 tm290 fbn-1 tm29019) animals were not observed.
Science
At 30°C, the transformants containing the plasmids pRS314, pRS314DNA2, pRS314dna2K1080E (helicase minus, nuclease plus) formed viable colonies.
Science
Prenatal loss (the number of implants minus the number of viable pups at PND0), neonatal loss (the number of pups viable on PND0 but not on PND6), and perinatal loss (the number of implants minus the number of live pups on PND6) were analyzed as percentages of the number of implants (prenatal and perinatal loss) or the number of live pups at PND0 (neonatal loss).
A system consisting of an HTS-based levitated flywheel as the energy storage unit and solar cells as the power supply was installed and investigated as a model of a viable variant of the mini power plant concept.
Although, as noted above, MS-minus animals grew normally to become viable adults, abnormal-looking proximal gonads were often observed, especially in older adult hermaphrodites.
Science
Analysis was conducted on ≥10 000 gated viable lymphocytes based on fluorescence minus one controls.
Early apoptotic epithelial cells (Caco-2) were observed with flow cytometry and the use of fluorescein-labelled Annexin V. Analysis was conducted on ≥10 000 gated viable lymphocytes based on fluorescence minus one controls.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "minus viable". Instead, opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "not viable", "unviable", or "infeasible".
Common error
Do not use "minus" to negate adjectives like "viable". "Minus" typically indicates subtraction or a deficiency, not a simple opposite. For direct negation, use "not", "un-", or "in-" prefixes as appropriate.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "minus viable" attempts to function as an adjective phrase, describing something that lacks feasibility or practicality. Ludwig's analysis and the limited examples suggest this construction is non-standard and potentially confusing.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
33%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "minus viable" is a non-standard way to express that something is "not viable" or unfeasible. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically questionable and rarely used. While its intended meaning is generally understood, it's best to avoid this phrase in favor of more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "not viable", "unviable", or "infeasible". Using these alternatives ensures clarity and avoids potential confusion. In formal or professional contexts, the use of "minus viable" is particularly discouraged.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
not viable
Direct replacement, using standard negation to express the lack of viability.
unviable
Single-word synonym expressing the same lack of viability.
infeasible
Emphasizes the impracticality of the subject, not just its lack of viability.
not feasible
Similar to "not viable" but focuses on the practicality or possibility of achievement.
impractical
Highlights the lack of practicality, often due to real-world constraints.
non-viable
Stylistic variation of "not viable", using a hyphenated prefix.
unsustainable
Focuses on the inability to maintain or continue in the long term.
unworkable
Highlights the inability to function or produce the desired result.
not realistic
Focuses on the lack of grounding in reality, suggesting wishful thinking.
untenable
Emphasizes that the concept cannot be defended or maintained, often in an argument or position.
FAQs
What does "minus viable" mean?
The phrase "minus viable" is generally understood to mean "not viable" or "unviable", indicating something that is not practical or feasible. However, it's not standard English.
Is it grammatically correct to say "minus viable"?
No, it's not grammatically correct. The standard way to express the same idea is to use "not viable" or "unviable".
What are some alternatives to saying "minus viable"?
Common alternatives include "not viable", "infeasible", "impractical", or "unsustainable", depending on the specific context.
In what contexts might I see the phrase "minus viable"?
While not common, you might encounter "minus viable" in informal speech or writing, or where someone is trying to create a specific stylistic effect. However, for clarity and correctness, it's best to use standard alternatives in formal contexts.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested