to the maximum

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the maximum" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the greatest possible degree, amount, or intensity of a given quality, such as "We need to maximize our efficiency to the maximum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Preheat a grill to the maximum setting.

Independent

We've built to the maximum.

The New York Times

Lord Ashdown used those powers to the maximum.

The Economist

It's tested the relationship to the maximum".

The Guardian - Sport

He uses every person to the maximum.

The Guardian

I was humbled to the maximum.

The New Yorker

Shorten plays that doubt to the maximum.

The Guardian

Grace simplified to the maximum," says Goude.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Funny, exciting, cool to the maximum".

The Guardian - Film

This soon increased to the maximum.

The Guardian - Opinion

This spleened me to the maximum.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the maximum" to emphasize the complete utilization or attainment of something, making your statement more impactful. For instance, "Utilize all available resources to the maximum."

Common error

Avoid using "to the maximum" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "to the fullest extent" or "optimally" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the maximum" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the greatest possible degree or extent. It often specifies how fully an action is performed or a quality is expressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to the maximum" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the highest possible degree or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While versatile, consider more refined synonyms for formal contexts. Understanding these nuances will enable you to use "to the maximum" effectively, enhancing the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the fullest extent

Emphasizes completeness and thoroughness in utilizing something.

to the greatest degree

Highlights the intensity or magnitude of an action or quality.

to the utmost level

Suggests reaching the highest possible point or stage.

to the highest possible degree

More emphatic version of "to the greatest degree".

as much as possible

Focuses on maximizing effort or quantity within given constraints.

to the limit

Highlights reaching a boundary or restriction.

at its peak

Implies reaching the highest point of performance or intensity.

to the hilt

Indicates doing something completely and without reservation.

to capacity

Focuses on filling something to its maximum holding ability.

to the max

Informal way to express reaching the highest level or amount.

FAQs

What does "to the maximum" mean?

The phrase "to the maximum" means reaching the highest possible level, amount, or degree. It signifies that something is being utilized or done as completely as possible.

How can I use "to the maximum" in a sentence?

You can use "to the maximum" to describe efforts, utilization, or capacity. For example, "We need to leverage our resources "to the fullest extent" to achieve our goals."

What are some alternatives to "to the maximum"?

Alternatives include "to the fullest extent", "to the greatest degree", or "as much as possible" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to the maximum extent possible"?

Yes, "to the maximum extent possible" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It emphasizes that something should be done as completely as feasible within given limitations.