a minor interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or limited level of interest in a particular subject or activity. Example: "While I have a minor interest in photography, I prefer to focus on painting as my main artistic pursuit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And they had only a minor interest in being "painters of modern life," to use Baudelaire's phrase.

The New York Times - Arts

Would Adam date another Astrology Girl? "If it was a minor interest in their life it wouldn't bother me.

Vice

In short, it was a mess -- a cacophony of noise from people whom I barely know, whose actions and opinions have little bearing on my life, and whom I have a minor interest in keeping up with.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Hearing three of his orchestral works now, however, suggests it has a residual, if minor interest.

The Guardian - Music

The younger Mr. Hickey says that he and his father saw No. 471 as a building of minor interest.

The New York Times

The Friars Club "was designed by an architect of minor interest," but because the air rights have been sold, is "unlikely to be redeveloped regardless of whether or not it is landmarked".

The New York Times

One, marked as of minor interest, was a small hill, Gobëkli Tepe, the "belly-shaped mound".

The Guardian - Travel

To expand our follow-up period to 1 year, when recovery would be expected to peak (Ortiz-Alonso et al. 2012), would probably have been of minor interest given a 1-year expected mortality rate of approximately 45% for nursing home residents (Beaupre et al. 2012).

Acta Orthopaedica

These need not be the literal mechanical skills of producing a top-notch Western or being a champion FACS jockey; those are of minor interest away from the bench.

Science Magazine

The afternoon begins with a dip in one of two Olympic-size pools and a period in the camper's minor interest.

The New York Times

Michelin has come up with a new recipe for a series of guidebooks: to an exotic destination add one part Red (as in the Red Guide listings of recommended hotels and restaurants) and one part Green (descriptions of places of major and minor interest), then fold in a generous helping of practical information and vignettes about the local culture.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor interest", ensure the context clarifies what the primary interests are, to provide a clear contrast for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor interest" when you actually mean no interest at all. "A minor interest" still implies some level of engagement, however small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor interest" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" modifies the noun "interest", indicating the degree or extent of the interest. It describes something that attracts a small amount of attention or concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minor interest" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to indicate a limited or secondary level of interest in a particular subject or activity. Ludwig examples show that it's often used to contrast less important aspects with more significant ones. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Alternatives such as "a slight interest" or "a limited interest" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight interest

Indicates a very small degree of interest, almost negligible.

a passing interest

Suggests a temporary or fleeting interest.

a limited interest

Highlights that the interest is restricted in scope or duration.

a casual interest

Implies a relaxed and informal level of interest.

a secondary interest

Indicates the interest is less important than other interests.

a marginal interest

Suggests the interest is barely significant.

a low-level interest

Describes the interest as being weak or not intense.

a peripheral interest

Indicates the interest is related to something more central but not essential itself.

a negligible interest

Highlights the interest is so small it's practically nonexistent.

a subordinate interest

Implies the interest is less important or powerful compared to others.

FAQs

What does "a minor interest" mean?

The phrase "a minor interest" indicates a small or limited level of interest in something, suggesting it's not a primary focus or passion.

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

You might say, "While I have "a minor interest" in gardening, my main hobby is painting."

What can I say instead of "a minor interest"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight interest", "a passing interest", or "a limited interest" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a minor interest"?

Yes, the phrase "a minor interest" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a small or secondary interest in something.