more than minimal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than minimal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that exceeds a very small or insignificant amount, often in contexts such as research, analysis, or evaluation. Example: "The study found that the intervention had more than minimal effects on participants' well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He's slow to offer more than "#minimal #minimalism #simple" in his captions.

Vice

Their remarks are dense and rich more than minimal.

The New Yorker

"Texas measures far more than minimal skills," he said.

The New York Times

Freedom of the press, which used to be minimal, has become more than minimal.

The New York Times - Magazine

The truth was that the support was absolutely minimal and could never be more than minimal.

The New York Times

Mr. Paterson, a Democrat, has said the bill amounted to little more than minimal reform.

The New York Times

No one put the chances of reviving the Middle East peace process at more than minimal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not every parent has trouble letting go, or cares to give more than minimal supervision to college-age children.

The New York Times

The ban prohibits officials from taking anything from a lobbyist of more than minimal value, like a cup of coffee.

The New York Times

In cases where the words are protected by copyright, copying in more than minimal amounts is illegal, regardless of whether the copying was unintentional.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Minimal exercise and more-than-minimal fast food are the most common cause of high blood pressure in children.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research risks, use "more than minimal" to clearly indicate that the risks involved are greater than the baseline level expected in daily life.

Common error

Avoid using "more than minimal" when you actually mean "significant" or "substantial". "More than minimal" implies a relatively small degree of excess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than minimal" functions as a qualifier, typically modifying nouns to indicate a degree or extent that is slightly above the baseline or lowest possible level. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more than minimal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used qualifier that indicates a degree or extent slightly above the lowest possible level. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal writing. It's important to use it judiciously to avoid overstating the degree of excess. Alternatives include phrases like "greater than minimal" or "exceeding minimal", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While the phrase is common, understanding its precise meaning and appropriate contexts ensures clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater than minimal

Replaces "more" with "greater" while keeping the core meaning of exceeding a minimal amount.

exceeding minimal

Uses a verb to indicate surpassing the minimal level.

beyond minimal

Suggests that something goes past the limit of what is considered minimal.

more than slight

Replaces "minimal" with "slight" to indicate a small degree of excess.

considerably more than minimal

Adds emphasis to the extent to which something exceeds the minimal level.

significantly more than minimal

Highlights that the excess is substantial and noteworthy.

appreciably more than minimal

Indicates a noticeable or measurable difference above the minimal level.

noticeably more than minimal

Emphasizes that the excess is easily observed or detected.

somewhat more than minimal

Suggests a modest increase above the minimal level.

marginally more than minimal

Indicates that the excess is small and close to the minimal level.

FAQs

How can I use "more than minimal" in a sentence?

You can use "more than minimal" to indicate that something exceeds a very small amount. For example, "The study showed "more than minimal improvement" in patient outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "more than minimal"?

Alternatives include "greater than minimal", "exceeding minimal", or "beyond minimal", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "greater than minimal" instead of "more than minimal"?

Yes, ""greater than minimal"" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "more than minimal", although the latter is slightly more common.

When is it appropriate to use "more than minimal" in research contexts?

It's appropriate when describing risks, improvements, or effects that are slightly above the lowest possible level but not necessarily significant. For example, research that poses "no more than minimal risk".