1. Rumwriter

    Rumwriter Active Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    304
    Likes Received:
    25

    Minimum vs Minimal

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Rumwriter, Nov 19, 2011.

    In this sentence:

    This is because you have turned what should be the intention of great care and high quality into a job performed solely for quick profit and less than minimal standards.

    I think minimal is correct, but should it be minimum instead?
     
  2. lameri

    lameri New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2011
    Messages:
    153
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
  3. SnappyUK

    SnappyUK New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2011
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Midlands, UK
    I would have used minimum, but according to my Collins Concise Dictionary, I'd have been wrong. It says 'minimum' is a noun and 'minimal' is an adjective, so your sentence is correct from that standpoint. I'm less comfortable with the absence of the word 'at' (or similar) after your final 'and', however, since the existing sentence has the 'for' referring to both 'quick profit' and 'minimal standards'.

    Also, do your ' minimal standards' refer to the care taken, or the quality of the work? I'm not clear which, or both, are being referred to. Either way, is one of them redundant? Would you not take 'great care' in order to ensure 'high quality', so the latter is implied by the former?
     
  4. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    yes, the difference is adjective vs noun...
     
  5. architectus

    architectus Banned

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
    Messages:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Ca
    You people are fast. :p
     
  6. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,877
    Likes Received:
    5
    minimum.
     
  7. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,490
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
    But in English you can modify a noun with another noun -- "minimum wage", for example -- so "minimum standard" is grammatically fine. The important thing here is that the meanings of "minimal" and "minimum" are different. "Minimal" means very low, "minimum" means "as low as possible" (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English). "Less than minimum standards" is therefore an oxymoron; you would have to say something like "less than minimum acceptable standards".
    Agreed. I also wonder about "less than". I wouldn't refer to something as less than standard, I'd describe it as below standards or failing to meet standards.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice