a minor idea

USAGE SUMMARY

! The phrase 'a minor idea' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to an idea that is relatively unimportant, or not worth serious consideration. For example, "We decided to ignore the minor idea that the project should be scrapped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Perhaps a minor idea can be given by the six blurrily punctuated changes of speaker in one brief passage between Cipriano and Marta.

The New York Times - Books

And this is only a minor idea among dozens of other "problematic"  notions such as the nymphomaniac prostitute-loving dwarf, the execution of serfs for cowardice, princesses being marriage-brokered like donkeys, a family of baby wolves and a harsh retro-reading of the word "bastard".

Independent

"Variety is the spice of life," and is often the key ingredient in transforming a minor idea into a major dream.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nor is stitching wounds terribly effective if the seal needs to be water-tight; needles leave too many holes.In this section Bringing home the harvest Beam me together, Bones A minor chord ReprintsAlthough the idea of spot-welding bits of living tissue with a laser is appealing, it has been hard, except in the case of retinas, to do it reliably.

The Economist

"It's not a minor league idea.

The New York Times - Sports

This "Strategy" is no minor idea.

The Economist

Research topics that catch your eye to find interesting details Summarize your overall premise or concept and make a list of minor ideas that you like.

WikiHow

By the time I got to CRACKED ICE, I was up for a frozen daiquiri, although I have a minor quibble with the idea that a frozen drink has ice that is cracked.

The New York Times

Such makeshift interiors may not end up in the pages of Architectural Digest, but they offer a minor wealth of design ideas for the summer.

The New York Times

The coalition's need to court the Komeito-Kaikaku is such that, even though Mrs Yamanaka is a first-termer from a minor opposition group, her ideas are getting a surprising amount of attention from the LDP's leadership.

The Economist

The proof essentially is a minor modification of the ideas in [21] and so is omitted.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor idea", ensure the context clearly establishes that the idea is less important than other ideas being discussed. This helps maintain focus on more critical aspects of the topic.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a minor idea" as if it's a major breakthrough. This can mislead your audience and undermine the credibility of your overall argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor idea" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" modifies the noun "idea". It describes the idea by specifying its level of importance or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable and correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minor idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a thought or suggestion of lesser importance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context establishes the relative unimportance of the idea to maintain clarity and focus on more critical aspects. Alternatives include "an insignificant concept" or "a trivial thought", which can be used to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an insignificant concept

Replaces 'minor' with 'insignificant', emphasizing the lack of importance.

a trivial thought

Substitutes 'minor' with 'trivial' and 'idea' with 'thought', both suggesting something unimportant.

a secondary notion

Uses 'secondary' instead of 'minor' and 'notion' instead of 'idea', indicating a lower priority.

a negligible consideration

Replaces 'minor' and 'idea' with terms suggesting something that can be safely ignored.

a small suggestion

Uses 'small' in place of 'minor' and 'suggestion' in place of 'idea', implying a limited scope.

an inconsequential point

Emphasizes the lack of consequence with 'inconsequential' instead of 'minor'.

a lightweight theory

Replaces 'minor' with 'lightweight' and 'idea' with 'theory', implying a lack of substance.

a slim possibility

Conveys the idea of something not significant, with a small chance to happen.

a passing fancy

Suggests a brief and unimportant thought.

a fleeting thought

A short-lived, unimportant idea, one that does not stay in your mind.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor idea" to introduce a less significant thought or suggestion, for example: "While the main focus is on cost reduction, "a minor idea" involves improving employee morale through team-building activities."

What are some alternatives to "a minor idea"?

Alternatives include "an insignificant concept", "a trivial thought", or "a secondary notion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to start a formal document with "a minor idea"?

Starting a formal document with "a minor idea" might detract from the main point. It's generally better to begin with the most significant information and introduce less crucial points later.

How does "a minor idea" differ from a major concept?

"A minor idea" is a thought or suggestion of lesser importance, while a major concept is a central, significant theme or principle. The distinction lies in their relative impact and relevance to the overall subject.