a minor thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is unimportant or insignificant. For example, "She made a small mistake, but it's really just a minor thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a minor thing," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a minor thing and it will be corrected.

The Guardian - Sport

It's only the 'o' and the 'a', a minor thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Losing the video as a communal experience is not a minor thing, though.

The New Yorker

Debating the utility of specific metrics might seem like a minor thing.

Harvard Business Review

Such a minor thing, after all – a slip of the razor that nicked his lip.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a minor thing and, if he was a younger horse, he'd be back next year".

The Guardian - Sport

A minor thing, but Johns – who is transgender – was already feeling fragile.

The Guardian

"Taking drugs to be a better player is a minor thing in comparison.

The New York Times - Sports

"His personal life was such a minor thing," said Peter Vergeldt, before an event in Sisseton.

The New York Times

Saving the piers, he added, "would require a new Ulurp, which is not a minor thing".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minor thing" to downplay the significance of an issue, especially when you want to reassure someone or prevent overreaction. For example, use it when addressing concerns that are easily resolved or have minimal impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor thing" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more precise or nuanced term might be more appropriate. In such cases, consider alternatives like "an insignificant detail" or "a negligible point".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor thing" functions as a noun phrase or adjectival phrase, typically used to qualify or describe a situation, issue, or detail as being unimportant or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sport

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor thing" is a versatile phrase used to downplay the significance of an issue across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While common, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional settings. Understanding its function and context is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trivial matter

Focuses on the insignificance of the issue.

an insignificant detail

Highlights the lack of importance of a specific aspect.

a small issue

Emphasizes the reduced scale of the problem.

a trifling concern

Indicates the concern is not worth worrying about.

a negligible point

Stresses that the point is so small it can be disregarded.

not a big deal

An informal way to say something isn't important.

of little consequence

Highlights the lack of importance in terms of outcomes.

something of no account

Emphasizes the lack of value or relevance.

a mere detail

Indicates the element is just a small part of something bigger.

a slight problem

Underlines the mild nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor thing" to describe something unimportant. For example: "The scratch on the car is "a minor thing", it can be easily buffed out."

What are some alternatives to saying "a minor thing"?

Alternatives include "a trivial matter", "an insignificant detail", or "not a big deal", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "it's just a minor thing"?

Yes, "it's just "a minor thing"" is a perfectly acceptable and common way to express that something is not important or concerning.

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

"A minor thing" refers to something of little importance, while "a major issue" signifies a significant problem or concern. They are opposites in terms of their impact and severity.