a trifling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trifling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is insignificant or of little value or importance. Example: "The amount of money he offered was a trifling sum compared to the overall cost of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Don't date a THUG: A Trifling Harmful Undependable Guy.

Huffington Post

But whereas Yimou had £65m to play with, Boyle's budget is a trifling £27m.

Independent

That isn't a trifling number.

The New Yorker

This is not a trifling achievement.

The New Yorker

This is by no means a trifling or frequent gift.

The New York Times - Books

Don't think that this is a trifling matter.

The Guardian

Cooking oil may seem a trifling expense in the West.

The New York Times

The political life of the world's leading power paralyzed by a trifling private matter!

The New York Times

"We make a trifling charge for such alterations," the clerk said.

The New Yorker

And Liza realized that her marriage could not be broken up by a trifling episode.

The New Yorker

Yet radical welfare reform will inevitably arouse far more opposition than a trifling cut in benefits.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a trifling", ensure the context clearly establishes that the subject is genuinely insignificant, avoiding understatement where greater concern is warranted.

Common error

Avoid using "a trifling" to describe matters that, while seemingly small, could have significant long-term consequences or are important to someone else. Consider the potential impact before dismissing something as unimportant.

Linguistic Context

"A trifling" functions as a determiner and adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it is of little value or importance. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts to downplay the significance of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trifling" is a versatile phrase used to describe something of little importance or value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While generally neutral to formal in tone, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the intended level of insignificance to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "a minor detail" or "a trivial issue" can offer similar nuances. Remember to consider the potential consequences before dismissing something as merely "a trifling" matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor detail

Focuses on the lack of importance of a specific element.

an insignificant matter

Highlights the lack of consequence or importance of the issue.

a negligible amount

Emphasizes the small quantity or degree involved.

a trivial issue

Stresses the lack of seriousness or importance.

a petty concern

Suggests the matter is small-minded and unimportant.

a slight problem

Indicates a small degree of difficulty or trouble.

a modest sum

Emphasizes the small quantity of money involved.

a paltry amount

Highlights the inadequacy or meagerness of the quantity.

a minimal concern

Focuses on how the matter is of the smallest degree.

an inconsequential item

Highlights the lack of importance of a specific element.

FAQs

How can I use "a trifling" in a sentence?

You can use "a trifling" to describe something insignificant. For example, "The cost was "a trifling amount" compared to the benefits."

What is a good alternative to "a trifling"?

Alternatives include "a minor", "a trivial", or "an insignificant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a trifling" in formal writing?

Yes, "a trifling" can be used in formal writing, but ensure it aligns with the tone and context. Consider alternatives like "a negligible" if a more neutral tone is desired.

What's the difference between "a trifling" and "a trivial"?

While both indicate something is unimportant, "a trifling" often suggests something is so small it's almost not worth considering, while "a trivial" may imply something is commonplace or lacking in depth.