a minor consideration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor consideration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is not of great importance or significance in a particular context. Example: "While the budget is a major factor in our decision, the timeline is merely a minor consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But that is clearly a minor consideration.

Independent

Before Sept. 11, Mr. Schriner said, property insurance was a minor consideration.

The New York Times

Whether that qualified as a nickname was a minor consideration, said a spokesman, Scott Haywood.

The New York Times

Chasing the saves record ended up as only a minor consideration.

The New York Times - Sports

I hate to break the news to you, but real fans are a minor consideration these days.

The New York Times - Sports

The best approach, though, is to acknowledge that price is a minor consideration when you are discussing an institution.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

(Our meat is determined largely by what an animal eats — breed is a very minor consideration — and a wild animal is likely to have the least manipulated diet of all).

The New Yorker

Money, he claims, though, a couple of times, is only a very minor consideration.

The Guardian

Amid all of the worry about her health, the difficult decisions around the surgery, and how to explain everything to the children, the practicalities of postponing the holiday was a relatively minor consideration.

The Guardian - Money

Overall, these results suggest that alopecia is a fairly minor consideration for men currently undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.

British Journal of Cancer

4) A relatively minor consideration that however influences how people approach the paper: the title promises more than the paper delivers and sets it up for criticism.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minor consideration" when you want to downplay the importance of something in relation to other factors. It's effective for setting priorities and managing expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor consideration" too frequently, as it can diminish the perceived importance of even genuinely minor points. Use it judiciously for the best effect, favoring alternatives like "small detail" or "slight concern" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor consideration" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an element, factor, or aspect that is not of primary importance. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase indicates something of lesser significance within a broader context. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various situations where prioritizing elements is necessary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minor consideration" is a useful and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is not particularly important. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, this phrase is appropriate for use in many contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. While not overly frequent, the phrase is recognizable and helps to establish priorities. When writing, remember to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "of little importance" or "a trivial matter" for variety. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, adding to its credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mere detail

Emphasizes the simplicity and unimportance of the detail.

a slight concern

Substitutes "minor" with "slight," denoting a small level of worry.

of little importance

Uses a more descriptive phrase to highlight the lack of significance.

a secondary concern

Indicates that something is important, but only after other things are addressed.

a trivial matter

Replaces "consideration" with "matter", emphasizing insignificance.

a non-essential element

Suggests that something isn't critical or necessary.

not a priority

Indicates that something is less important in terms of ranking or attention.

a negligible factor

Highlights the insignificance of the factor in influencing a situation.

an inconsequential aspect

Uses more formal language to express a lack of importance.

a small detail

Focuses on the aspect of being a detail rather than a broader consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "a minor consideration" in a sentence?

You can use "a minor consideration" to indicate that something is not very important. For example, "While cost is a factor, it's only "a minor consideration" compared to the safety features".

What are some alternatives to "a minor consideration"?

Alternatives include "of little importance", "a trivial matter", or "a negligible factor". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a minor consideration" in formal writing?

Yes, "a minor consideration" is suitable for formal writing, as it is a clear and professional way to express that something is not a primary focus. However, consider stronger phrasing if the item is truly insignificant.

What's the difference between "a minor consideration" and "a major consideration"?

"A minor consideration" implies something is less important, while "a major consideration" indicates something is highly important and influential in decision-making. They represent opposite ends of the importance spectrum.