provide a minimum of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide a minimum of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a baseline requirement or quantity that must be met in a given context. Example: "The project requires you to provide a minimum of 10 samples for testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Germany was asked this week to provide a minimum of 500 more troops.

The New York Times

It will also provide a minimum of $90 million in development financing to Exelixis over six years and a loan of up to $85 million.

The New York Times

The two orbiters are to operate for at least 22 months to provide a minimum of two seasons of data on climate dynamics, scientists said.

The New York Times - Science

What is being reduced is their obligation to do difficult work like solid wall insulation, although they will still have to provide a minimum of 100,000 homes with this.

The Guardian - Money

Even where people are building outside of municipal water systems, a builder must prove that there is a functioning well that can provide a minimum of water for a home.

The New York Times

The fund plans to provide a minimum of $100,000 annually for up to five years to the selected community groups, which would have to provide proof of their progress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The law provides a minimum of $10,000 for victims of the attacks.

The New York Times

"La Sonnambula" suited him precisely because it provided a minimum of incident.

The New Yorker

The private equity firms would have probably provided a minimum of 30 percent of equity for the deal.

The New York Times

For the past five years, the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act provided a minimum of 40percentt of construction cost in districts that passed bond issues.

The New York Times

Starting this year, the C.A.A. begins a five-year agreement with NBC Sports Group, providing a minimum of five national television broadcasts on the NBC Sports Network.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting expectations or requirements, use "provide a minimum of" to clearly define the lower limit, leaving no ambiguity about the acceptable quantity or level. For instance, "The company will provide a minimum of two weeks of vacation time."

Common error

Avoid using "provide a minimum of" when you actually intend to specify a maximum. The phrase indicates a lower bound, not an upper one. For example, instead of "provide a minimum of 500 units," when 500 is the upper limit, specify "provide up to 500 units" or "provide a maximum of 500 units".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide a minimum of" functions as a quantifier, specifying a lower limit or threshold for something being provided. It indicates the least acceptable quantity or level. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provide a minimum of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for specifying a lower limit or baseline requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various domains. It's particularly useful in formal contexts like business, science, and news reporting where clarity and precision are paramount. Remember to use it when you want to ensure a specific quantity or standard is met, and avoid using it when intending to specify a maximum. Related alternatives include "supply at least" and "offer no less than", offering similar ways to express a baseline requirement. With an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is considered a reliable and effective choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supply at least

Replaces "provide" with "supply" and "a minimum of" with "at least", focusing on the action of supplying a lower bound.

offer no less than

Uses "offer" instead of "provide" and emphasizes that the quantity is not to be lower than a specified amount.

ensure at least

Shifts focus to ensuring a minimum is met, using "ensure" instead of "provide".

guarantee a minimum of

Emphasizes a guaranteed lower limit using "guarantee".

stipulate a minimum of

Introduces a formal requirement or condition, using "stipulate".

require at least

Focuses on the required lower limit, using "require".

furnish at least

Replaces "provide" with "furnish", implying a formal offering of something.

allot at least

Focuses on allocating a minimum quantity, using "allot".

make available at least

Highlights the act of making something accessible in a minimum quantity.

pledge a minimum of

Indicates a commitment to provide at least a certain amount.

FAQs

How can I use "provide a minimum of" in a sentence?

Use "provide a minimum of" to specify the lowest acceptable amount or level that must be supplied or ensured. For instance, "The software update will provide a minimum of three new security patches".

What are some alternatives to "provide a minimum of"?

You can use alternatives like "supply at least", "offer no less than", or "ensure at least" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "provide a minimum of" in formal writing?

Yes, "provide a minimum of" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and professionally specifies a lower limit. It's commonly used in business, legal, and academic contexts.

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

"Provide a minimum of" sets a lower limit, meaning the quantity must be at least that amount. "Provide a maximum of", on the other hand, sets an upper limit, meaning the quantity cannot exceed that amount. They are opposites.