reduce to a minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'reduce to a minimum' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as an instruction to limit something to its least possible amount. For example: "He worked hard to reduce the noise pollution to a minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It also says it will reduce to a minimum the course's thirst for freshwater resources.

The New York Times

And it wants the reactor converted to reduce to a minimum its production of plutonium, an alternate pathway to nuclear arms.

The Guardian

The friction coefficient could reduce to a minimum of 0.001, which randomly appeared as the test progressed, with a maximal sliding distance of 131 μm.

Carbon

Nondegradable synthetic polymers such as poly methyl methacrylate) and polyethers are biologically inert and these materials are developed to reduce to a minimum the host response to the biomaterial.

Principles of Regenerative Medicine

The skating congress in Japan is to take up a proposal by Cinquanta that would put 14 judges on a panel and have the scores given by 7 picked by a computer to "reduce to a minimum the prospect of bloc judging".

The New York Times - Sports

"To be frank," Monsignor Sambi said after the meeting today, "I have to say that from the beginning the government of Israel has made us conscious of this sensibility, and we have collaborated fully with the government to reduce to a minimum the disturbance from the activity of the pope during Shabbat".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Protocol has been reduced to a minimum.

The Economist

External stimuli are reduced to a minimum.

The New York Times - Magazine

Waiting time will certainly be reduced to a minimum.

The New Yorker

Questioning and exploring alternative courses of action are reduced to a minimum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Paperwork should be reduced to a minimum, and parents more involved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce to a minimum", ensure the context clearly defines what is being minimized and why. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

While "reduce to a minimum" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "minimize", "decrease", or "lessen" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce to a minimum" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intention or goal behind an action, as supported by Ludwig's examples. It sets the stage for why something is being done.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce to a minimum" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to convey the intention of decreasing something to its lowest possible level. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase across diverse writing contexts. While versatile, it's essential to maintain clarity regarding what's being minimized. For variety, consider synonyms such as "minimize" or "decrease", especially in formal writing to avoid repetition. This phrase finds frequent application in scientific, news, and business contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimize

Shorter, single-word alternative with a similar meaning.

decrease to the lowest level

More descriptive and emphasizes achieving the lowest possible level.

lessen to the smallest degree

Focuses on reducing something to its most insignificant amount.

diminish to the uttermost

Emphasizes a complete and thorough reduction.

curtail to rock bottom

Informal expression for reaching the absolute minimum.

cut down to the bone

Figurative language for essential reductions only.

pare back to basics

Focuses on simplifying by minimizing non-essential elements.

bring down to a naught

Emphasizes a target of absolute zero.

drive down to bare minimum

More forceful verb choice for achieving the minimum.

keep down to a lower bound

Technical term for setting a minimum threshold.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce to a minimum" in a sentence?

Use "reduce to a minimum" when you want to express the act of decreasing something to its lowest possible level. For example, "The company aimed to reduce costs to a minimum to increase profitability."

What are some alternatives to "reduce to a minimum"?

You can use alternatives like "minimize", "decrease to the lowest level", or "lessen to the smallest degree" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "reduce to a minimum" or "minimize"?

"Minimize" tends to be more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Reduce to a minimum" is also correct but can sometimes sound wordier. Consider the specific context and desired tone.

What is the difference between "reduce to a minimum" and "eliminate"?

"Reduce to a minimum" implies decreasing something as much as possible, but not necessarily completely removing it. "Eliminate", on the other hand, means to completely remove or get rid of something.