“The storage in this kitchen is very minimum.”

Adjectives, Adverbs

I heard this during an HGTV television program a few days ago.

Problem:
The word “very” is meaningless and should not be in the statement, unless the speaker meant to say a different adjective.

Explanation:
The speaker made the statement during a house-makeover show on HGTV.

She was complaining that there was very little storage in the house’s kitchen.

The word “minimum” can be used as an adjective — e.g., to modify the noun “storage” — but the adverb “very” should not be used to modify the adjective “minimum” because the adjective “minimum” means least possible.

The adjectives “minimum” and “unique” already indicate the ultimate in something. Adding “very” to the front of either of these adjectives is meaningless and should not be done.

The speaker might have meant to use “minimal” instead of “minimum” in her statement. The adjective “minimal” would be appropriate because “minimal” can mean barely adequate.

We would then have “The storage in this kitchen is very barely adequate.” as the intended meaning of the statement, which would be appropriate (because “very” may modify “barely adequate”).

Solutions:
“The storage in this kitchen is minimum.”
or
“The storage in this kitchen is very minimal.”