a petty matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a petty matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that is trivial or of little importance. Example: "While the disagreement seemed significant at first, it turned out to be just a petty matter that could easily be resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Tolkien's wizards — both good and evil — are so focused on their cosmic tasks that sexuality seems a petty matter.

The New York Times - Arts

"If this is a grudge, it's sad that the funds that the homeowners put into the association are being wasted on such a petty matter," Mr. McDonel said.

The New York Times

As for the charge that led to Fela's imprisonment, it seems like a petty matter in which the musician was indeed innocent, but which was used by the authorities to keep him quiet.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The simple reality is that you are living in a society where how you look matters, and for the person who is down and out, this can seem like a petty thing to concern yourself with.

WikiHow

Not realizing in the least bit that going armed at someone's place for such petty matters is a legal harassment case for which a FIR First Informationn Report) can be lodged.

Huffington Post

Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, said: "It is one thing to ask the public for special measures to fight the grave threat of terrorism, but when that becomes a Trojan horse for mass snooping for more petty matters it only leads to a loss of trust in government".

The Guardian

Perhaps that's because he had earlier related a tale to journalists about a woman who complained too often about petty matters to her village chief.

The Economist

When people talk about partisan differences, they often seem to be implying that these differences are petty, matters that could be resolved with a bit of good will.

The New York Times

The government has also awarded contracts to an advertising company in which his family holds a stake.Mr Thaksin insists that he does not concern himself with petty matters like advertising budgets, and cannot avoid grand issues like telecoms regulation.

The Economist

These are not petty matters but mighty ones: all must obey or be subject to a penalty.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He is a person who experienced pleasure and pain, who lost a son and was widowed twice, who used people and organisations (the IDF, Likud, the Shlomtzion and Kadima parties, the settlement enterprise in the West Bank and Gaza) as a private launching pad for himself; who achieved maximum power but wasted it on petty matters".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a petty matter" when you want to downplay the significance of a dispute or issue. It's especially useful in contexts where others might be exaggerating the problem's importance.

Common error

While appropriate in general writing, avoid using "a petty matter" in very formal or professional documents. Alternatives like "a minor concern" or "an insignificant issue" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a petty matter" functions as a noun phrase, where "petty" is an adjective modifying the noun "matter". It's used to describe something that is insignificant or of little importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a petty matter" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something insignificant or trivial. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While relatively infrequent, it appears mainly in news and media contexts. When writing, be mindful of the register, as more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain situations. Remember to use this phrase when you want to minimize the importance of something, but consider the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone. Alternatives such as "a trivial concern" or "a minor detail" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trivial concern

Replaces "petty matter" with synonyms emphasizing insignificance and worry.

a minor detail

Substitutes "matter" with "detail", focusing on the small scale of the issue.

an insignificant issue

Emphasizes lack of importance and replaces "matter" with "issue".

a trifling problem

Uses "trifling" to highlight the insignificance of the problem, sounding slightly more formal.

a small concern

Replaces "petty" with "small", offering a more direct way to express lack of importance.

a negligible issue

Focuses on something that can be disregarded because of its small size.

an inconsequential thing

Highlights that something has no result or effect.

a frivolous affair

Implies the matter is not serious and perhaps even silly.

a secondary consideration

Highlights that the matter should be addressed after primary concerns have been dealt with.

a lightweight subject

Implies the matter has no serious depth or gravitas.

FAQs

How can I use "a petty matter" in a sentence?

You can use "a petty matter" to describe something unimportant or trivial, as in "The argument was just "a petty matter" that was quickly resolved."

What's a good alternative to "a petty matter"?

Alternatives include "a trivial issue", "a minor concern", or "an insignificant detail". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a petty issue" instead of "a petty matter"?

Yes, "a petty issue" is perfectly acceptable and conveys a similar meaning to "a petty matter". Both phrases indicate something of little importance.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a petty matter"?

Avoid using "a petty matter" in formal situations where a more serious or respectful tone is required. In those cases, opt for alternatives that sound more professional.