whichever is the minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whichever is the minimum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or choices and indicating that you want the smallest or least value among them. Example: "Please select the two numbers, and I will take whichever is the minimum."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Staff are thought to have been offered three weeks' salary for every completed year of employment to a maximum of £40,000, or a minimum of 20 weeks' pay, whichever is the greatest.

The Guardian

Under the triple lock, pensions have risen every year since 2010 by – whichever is the higher figure – the rate of inflation, average earnings or a minimum of 2.5%.

The Guardian - Money

You are entitled to a statutory minimum of one week's notice for every year worked, up to a maximum of 12 weeks, or your contractual notice, whichever is the longer.

The Guardian - Money

But, whichever is the case, the idea is simple.

Forbes

Whichever is the case, don't argue – follow procedure.

WikiHow

This is the minimum amount.

The New York Times

What is the minimum investment?

The New York Times

That is the minimum".

BBC

Otherwise, if both of them have desirable attractors or neither B x) or B(x c ) has desirable attractors, we compare d D (x) and d D (x c ): Whichever is minimum, we apply control to get that state so as to reach the desirable states D faster.

BMC Systems Biology

At the estimated time of arrival and for 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, the ceiling will be at least 1,000 feet above the airport elevation, or at least 400 feet above the lowest applicable approach minima, whichever is higher, and the visibility will be at least 2 statute miles.

Cornell University

Individuals without health insurance will be taxed either $95 or 1% of their IRS filing minimum, whichever is greater, for the first two years.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whichever is the minimum", ensure the context clearly defines the options being compared. Be precise about what constitutes the minimum value in your scenario to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "whichever is the minimum" without explicitly stating the set of options being considered. Lack of clarity can lead to misinterpretation of the intended smallest value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whichever is the minimum" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a choice based on the least value from a given set of options. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and is used to set constraints in a decision-making process.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whichever is the minimum" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate the selection of the smallest value from a set of options. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's most effective when the context clearly defines the options being considered. Alternatives such as "whichever is smaller" may offer simpler phrasing in certain situations. Common errors involve a lack of clarity in specifying the options, leading to potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whichever is smaller

Replaces "minimum" with "smaller", emphasizing size rather than a threshold.

whichever is lesser

Uses "lesser" as a synonym for "smaller", slightly more formal.

the smaller of the two

More specific, implying a choice between only two options.

the least of these

Emphasizes a choice among multiple options, often with moral or ethical implications.

the lowest of the low

Dramatically emphasizes the bottom of a range, often in a negative context.

the nadir

A more technical term for the lowest point or value.

the rock bottom

Idiomatic expression for the absolute lowest point, usually in a negative situation.

the floor

Refers to a lower limit or boundary.

the trough

Used for the low point in a repeating wave or cycle

the lower bound

A mathematical term for a lower limit or boundary

FAQs

How can I use "whichever is the minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "whichever is the minimum" when presenting a choice between two or more options and indicating that the smallest value is the one to be selected. For example: "Choose between these two discounts, and I will apply "whichever is the minimum"."

What's a simple alternative to "whichever is the minimum"?

A simpler alternative is "whichever is smaller", which is more direct and easier to understand in most contexts.

Is "whichever is the minimum" grammatically correct?

Yes, "whichever is the minimum" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure for making a choice between options based on a specified criterion.

When should I avoid using "whichever is the minimum"?

Avoid using "whichever is the minimum" in informal conversations where simpler language would suffice. In formal writing, ensure the context clearly defines the options being compared to avoid ambiguity.