a minor worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concern that is not significant or serious in nature. Example: "While there are many challenges ahead, the budget constraints are just a minor worry compared to the overall project goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But for Erik Grazetti, the hotel's director of sales and marketing, stolen drinks are a minor worry.

The New York Times

McGain is selected subject to fitness after suffering a minor-strain to his right shoulder, while Australia also have a minor worry over Matthew Hayden's heel.

The Guardian - Sport

The first letter, like many of the e-mails, tweets, and comments I've received directly, argues that the decline effect is ultimately a minor worry, since "in the long run, science prevails over human bias".

The New Yorker

Hi-tech respondents, for instance, are nearly twice as likely to cite this problem as a major concern than are industrials, while half of healthcare and pharmaceutical respondents consider it a minor worry.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Most of us are afraid of going blind; being duplicated is a relatively minor worry.

The New Yorker

The only minor worry for the league leaders was an injury to Robin van Persie as the striker set up Rafael for the opener.

BBC

For those in his inner circle, it is no minor worry.

The New York Times - Sports

With the White House in a crisis over accusations made by a former intern that Mr. Clinton encouraged her to conceal their purported sexual relationship, the campaign charges that might have resonated powerfully just a month ago seemed to contribute but a minor rivulet of worry to the torrent of political problems confronting the Administration.

The New York Times

Hopefully that won't worry Fame And Glory, my selection in the Gold Cup, who brushed off minor worries over similar conditions 12 months ago on his way to a comprehensive victory over Opinion Poll.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, these are minor worries.

The Guardian - Books

And those are their minor worries.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor worry", ensure the context clearly establishes that more significant issues are at play, against which this worry is comparatively small. This helps to maintain perspective and avoid exaggerating the concern.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor worry" when the issue is actually significant. Overstating its insignificance can undermine your credibility and create confusion about the true level of concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor worry" functions as a noun phrase where "minor" is an adjective modifying the noun "worry". It describes a concern that is not significant or serious. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor worry" is a noun phrase used to describe a concern of low significance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts to downplay the importance of certain issues relative to others. While it is not a highly frequent phrase, it serves an important function in providing perspective and context. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the idea that the worry is indeed minor compared to other, more significant concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight concern

This alternative uses "concern" instead of "worry", emphasizing a feeling of unease but keeping the modifier "slight" to indicate low intensity.

a small concern

This phrase replaces "minor" with "small", which is a synonym indicating the size or degree of the worry is not significant.

a trivial concern

Using "trivial" highlights that the worry is of little importance or consequence.

a negligible concern

This phrase suggests that the worry is so small it can be safely disregarded.

a minor apprehension

"Apprehension" is used instead of "worry" to denote anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen, but still at a low level.

a slight unease

This option uses "unease" to express a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, replacing "worry" while "slight" maintains the low intensity.

a passing concern

This suggests the concern is temporary and not likely to persist or cause significant trouble.

a light concern

"Light" is used to describe the burden or impact of the concern, indicating it is not heavy or serious.

an insignificant worry

This emphasizes that the worry has little to no importance or impact.

a secondary concern

This suggests that the worry is not the primary or most important issue at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor worry" to describe something that is causing slight concern, but is not a major issue. For example, "While the project faces several challenges, budget constraints are only "a minor worry" compared to the technological hurdles."

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

Alternatives include "a slight concern", "a small concern", or "a trivial concern" depending on the level of insignificance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a minor worry" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to downplay the importance of an issue relative to others. However, ensure that the context justifies the description; otherwise, it might seem dismissive.

What is the difference between "a minor worry" and "a major concern"?

"A minor worry" indicates a small, relatively unimportant issue, while "a major concern" suggests a significant problem that needs serious attention. The choice depends on the actual severity of the situation.