a petty concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a petty concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a worry or issue that is trivial or insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Example: "While some may fret over the color of the napkins, I believe it's just a petty concern compared to the overall success of the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Even that is a petty concern compared with the worry that troubles their sleep.

The New York Times

Maybe unpopularity is a petty concern to adults, but to teenagers, it can be brutal and bruising.

The New York Times - Magazine

After Argentina plunged into economic chaos in late 2001, discrimination based on sexual orientation seemed to many like a petty concern.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When viewers are facing the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, in which hundreds of thousands of Tutsis were slaughtered in 1994, it's easy to think that ice cream is a comparatively petty concern.

The New York Times

I had a petty business stall.

BMC Women's Health

Are wealthy Americans above the petty concern of preserving natural resources?

The New York Times

I pretty much eat whatever I want at the moment, to the great detriment of my egregious figure, but without the petty concern of not wanting to be seen roaming the streets as an amorphous blob, my eating would go into overdrive.

Vice

What started with the adolescent fantasies and petty concerns of a campus romance ended up, thirty years later, as a political drama playing out among the leaders of two continents.

The New Yorker

A person can be struggling with personal issues, or nursing local grievances, and also be inspired to elevate his petty concerns into a narrative of global injustice.

The New Yorker

In this reading, the "garlic eaters" among the scabby rabble, easily swayed by petty concerns, bring down a virtuous man who is a "flower of warriors," whose nature is, as a friend proclaims, "too noble for the world".

The New York Times - Arts

You may find it hard to believe that such crucial decisions are driven by such petty concerns, that an alliance between showboating union leaders and "drive 100 and freeze a Yankee" conservatives could do so much damage to our nation's future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a petty concern" when you want to downplay the significance of something, especially in comparison to more important issues. For instance, "The color scheme is a petty concern when we're facing bankruptcy."

Common error

Avoid using "a petty concern" in situations where the issue, though seemingly small, has significant underlying implications or emotional weight. It can come across as dismissive or insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a petty concern" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing something relatively unimportant compared to other issues.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a petty concern" is a noun phrase used to describe an issue or worry considered unimportant. It is grammatically correct and functions to downplay the significance of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although the frequency of the phrase is considered rare, it's deemed correct by Ludwig AI and is acceptable in neutral contexts, often appearing in News & Media. Related phrases include "a trivial matter" and "a minor worry". When using the phrase, it's best to avoid overusing it in serious contexts, as this may seem dismissive. Overall, understand the proper usage and tone of the phrase is required when considering its deployment in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trivial matter

Highlights the lack of importance of the issue.

a small matter

Underscores the limited scope and impact of the concern.

a minor worry

Emphasizes the insignificance of the worry.

an inconsequential thing

Emphasizes that something is not worth considering.

a trifling issue

Indicates the lack of seriousness of the issue.

an insignificant detail

Focuses on the small and unimportant nature of the detail.

a negligible problem

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

a frivolous worry

Suggests the worry is not serious and possibly silly.

a minor quibble

Implies a small and unimportant objection.

a picayune issue

Highlights the pettiness of the issue, using a less common word.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a petty concern" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "a trivial matter", "an insignificant issue", or "a minor inconvenience" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a petty concern"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something is unimportant or insignificant, especially in relation to something more serious. For example, "Complaining about the office temperature is "a petty concern" when compared to job security."

What's the difference between "a petty concern" and "a legitimate worry"?

"A petty concern" implies the issue is trivial and not worth much attention, while "a legitimate worry" suggests the concern is valid and deserves consideration. The distinction lies in the perceived importance and impact of the issue.

Can "a petty concern" be used in a positive context?

Generally, no. The phrase carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something is unimportant and perhaps bothersome. It's typically used to dismiss or downplay an issue, not to highlight something positive. You could say that it is "a small blessing" if something doesn't turn out to be a petty concern.