At the bare minimum vs At bare minimum

Both "at the bare minimum" and "at bare minimum" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "At the bare minimum" is more commonly used and emphasizes the idea of the minimum requirement or expectation. On the other hand, "at bare minimum" is less common and may sound more informal.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 4643 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the minimum requirement or expectation.

"At the bare minimum "

This phrase is used to indicate the absolute minimum that is required or expected in a particular situation.

Examples:

You should have at the bare minimum a high school diploma for this job.
At the bare minimum, we need to finish this project by Friday.
She expected at the bare minimum an apology for his behavior.
The company requires at the bare minimum two years of experience.
At the bare minimum, make sure you have your ID with you.

Show examples from the web [+]

Guaranteed, at the bare minimum, there are dozens of magazines who would pay you to write something.
You can do whatever you feel like, but at the bare minimum, you must make out.
We have therefore adopted a system which limits committee meetings at Strasbourg to the bare minimum required for the work of the House.
These men can learn the value of an honest day's labor and provide a service to the community at a bare minimum of expense to Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Taxpayer.
The time taken for matters to be examined at Ombudsman level should be reduced to the bare minimum.
Given the issues at stake - among which I will simply mention the dangers of an epidemic that are threatening us - this demand is the bare minimum.
The same goes for the controls at the Member States' borders: they must be reintroduced as quickly as possible, because they are the bare minimum when it comes to combating terrorism effectively and efficiently.
The scope and duration of any temporary reintroduction of border control at internal borders should be restricted to the bare minimum needed to respond to that threat.
In this option the accompanying programme could be limited to the bare minimum.
Bravo as long as you do the bare minimum.
They're used to guys doing the bare minimum.
You put her on the bare minimum.
We only kept the bare minimum.
We consider the Commission's proposal to be the bare minimum.
We have ended up with just the bare minimum which can be accepted.
REACH aims at reducing animal testing to a bare minimum.
Man... your parents didn't really even do the bare minimum with you.
We're making a five day journey in three days. Ridin' long and sleepin' the bare minimum.
Telling the truth is... it seems like the bare minimum for both jobs.
This is only the bare minimum of what you would need in case of an emergency.

Alternatives:

at least
at a minimum
as a minimum
at the very least
as a bare minimum

This phrase is correct but less common than "at the bare minimum." It may sound more informal.

"At bare minimum "

This phrase is also used to indicate the minimum requirement or expectation, but it is less formal and less commonly used.

Examples:

We need at bare minimum two more volunteers for the event.
At bare minimum, you should have the basic skills required for the job.
She expected at bare minimum a thank-you note for the gift.
The project needs at bare minimum another week to be completed.
At bare minimum, make sure you have your ticket with you.

Show examples from the web [+]

Guaranteed, at the bare minimum, there are dozens of magazines who would pay you to write something.
...at a bare minimum of expense to Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Taxpayer.
You can do whatever you feel like, but at the bare minimum, you must make out.
We have therefore adopted a system which limits committee meetings at Strasbourg to the bare minimum required for the work of the House.
These men can learn the value of an honest day's labor and provide a service to the community at a bare minimum of expense to Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Taxpayer.
REACH aims at reducing animal testing to a bare minimum.
The time taken for matters to be examined at Ombudsman level should be reduced to the bare minimum.
Given the issues at stake - among which I will simply mention the dangers of an epidemic that are threatening us - this demand is the bare minimum.
That figure is crucial, and a bare minimum in light of what is at stake and what needs to be done.
The scope and duration of any temporary reintroduction of border control at internal borders should be restricted to the bare minimum needed to respond to that threat.
In this option the accompanying programme could be limited to the bare minimum.
Bravo as long as you do the bare minimum.
They're used to guys doing the bare minimum.
You put her on the bare minimum.
We only kept the bare minimum.
Miiller, we'd agreed on a bare minimum of provisions.
Mastery of basic skills and a bare minimum of cultural literacy eludes vast numbers of our students.
We consider the Commission's proposal to be the bare minimum.
We have ended up with just the bare minimum which can be accepted.
The same goes for the controls at the Member States' borders: they must be reintroduced as quickly as possible, because they are the bare minimum when it comes to combating terrorism effectively and efficiently.

Alternatives:

at the bare minimum
at least
at a minimum
as a minimum
at the very least

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At the bare minimum vs At bare minimum