a trifle easier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trifle easier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is slightly or marginally easier than something else. Example: "This new method is a trifle easier than the previous one, making it more accessible for beginners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On a more mundane level, many simply believe society would be better educated, and life a trifle easier, if everyone agreed on how the language should be spoken and pronounced.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Phillips Union Whiskey might be just a trifle too easy to drink.

The New York Times

But when it comes to making a trifle recipe, it couldn't get any easier.

HuffPost

(In Britain it is a brisker 2.4%.) Inflation has ticked up a trifle, but short-term interest rates are not expected to rise, so banks may find it easier to retain their net interest margins.

The Economist

A trifle overwrought?

The New Yorker

[French.] A trifle; a kickshaw.

Yale University

(He looks a trifle smug).

The New Yorker

Call it a trifle.

The New York Times

Becomes a trifle voyeuristic.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a trifle arcane.

The Guardian

Scalia looked a trifle peeved.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trifle easier" to express a subtle difference in ease or simplicity, especially when you want to convey a sense of understatement or refinement.

Common error

Avoid using "a trifle easier" when the difference is significant. This phrase implies a small, almost negligible improvement in ease, so be sure that your wording matches your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trifle easier" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something is easier. It is used to express that something is slightly or marginally less difficult than something else. Ludwig confirms the correct and usable nature of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a trifle easier" is a grammatically sound way to express that something is only slightly less difficult. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to note its relatively uncommon usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase lends a touch of understatement or refinement to your writing. Consider alternatives like "slightly easier" or "a bit easier" for more common expressions, but embrace "a trifle easier" when nuance and subtle expression is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly easier

Replaces "a trifle" with "slightly", offering a more common synonym for a small degree.

marginally easier

Replaces "a trifle" with "marginally", emphasizing the small difference in ease.

somewhat easier

Replaces "a trifle" with "somewhat", giving a more formal tone.

a bit easier

Substitutes "a trifle" with "a bit", resulting in a more informal expression.

just a little easier

Expands "a trifle" to "just a little", highlighting the minimal difference.

fractionally easier

Substitutes "a trifle" with "fractionally", indicating a very small degree of difference.

ever so slightly easier

Adds emphasis with "ever so", underscoring the slightness of the difference.

a shade easier

Replaces "a trifle" with "a shade", using a more figurative expression.

imperceptibly easier

Uses "imperceptibly" to suggest the difference in ease is almost unnoticeable.

noticeably easier

Emphasizes that the ease is able to be noticed, a small difference.

FAQs

How can I use "a trifle easier" in a sentence?

You can use "a trifle easier" to indicate that something is only slightly easier than something else. For example, "This software update makes the process "a trifle easier" than before".

What phrases are similar to "a trifle easier"?

Similar phrases include "slightly easier", "a bit easier", or "somewhat easier", all suggesting a small difference in difficulty.

Is "a trifle easier" formal or informal?

The phrase "a trifle" lends a slightly formal or refined tone. While not overly formal, it's less common in very casual conversation than alternatives like "a bit".

When is it appropriate to use "a trifle easier"?

Use "a trifle easier" when you want to downplay the difference in ease or when you want to sound more sophisticated. It's suitable for both writing and speaking, but be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your communication.