a trivial drop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trivial drop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant decrease or reduction in a particular context, such as measurements, statistics, or quantities. Example: "The company's profits saw a trivial drop this quarter, which is not a cause for concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet the goods the rich consume are, to a startling extent, mass consumption; their claim on the output of Starbucks, Procter and Gamble, Haagen Dazs and so forth is a trivial drop in a very large stream of consumer dollars.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This mess is going to make Enron look like a trivial, little drop in the bucket," Mr. Dickinson said.

The New York Times

He said: "Again it's just a trivial 5% on gas only, not electricity, nothing close to the drop in wholesale prices.

The Guardian - Business

His inventions executed a lot of complicated, rickety, and diverting processes - lifting little mechanical hands, compelling a toy monkey to clash his cymbals together - in order to do something trivial, like drop a ping-pong ball into a cup.

Huffington Post

A trivial matter?

The New York Times - Arts

A trivial pursuit?

The New York Times - Tech

This was neither a trivial risk nor a trivial investment.

Harvard Business Review

That seemed a trivial concern.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a trivial matter.

The New York Times

That would not be a trivial change.

The Economist

Quantitative easing is not a trivial matter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trivial drop" to downplay the significance of a small decrease or reduction. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to reassure your audience that the change is not something to be concerned about.

Common error

Avoid using "a trivial drop" when the decrease is actually substantial or meaningful. Ensure the context genuinely reflects a minor change, as misusing this phrase can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trivial drop" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe a small or insignificant decrease or reduction in a particular context. It is often used to downplay the importance of a minor reduction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trivial drop" is a noun phrase used to describe a small, insignificant decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, used to downplay minor reductions. While grammatically sound and generally accepted, ensure that the context accurately reflects a truly minor change to avoid undermining credibility. Alternative phrases like "a minor decrease" or "an insignificant reduction" can be used for similar effect. Remember to use this phrase to reassure your audience of a minimal change that isn't cause for alarm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor decrease

Replaces 'trivial' with 'minor' to emphasize the small extent of the decrease.

an insignificant reduction

Substitutes 'trivial' with 'insignificant' and 'drop' with 'reduction' for a more formal tone.

a negligible amount

Uses 'negligible' to highlight the unimportance of the amount.

a slight decline

Replaces 'trivial' with 'slight' and 'drop' with 'decline', focusing on the small decrease.

a minimal change

Emphasizes the smallness of the change rather than the drop.

a tiny fraction

Highlights that the amount is only a very small part of the whole.

a mere pittance

Uses 'pittance' to suggest the amount is almost worthless.

a small fraction

Indicates the drop represents a small portion of something.

an inconsequential dip

Replaces 'trivial' with 'inconsequential' and 'drop' with 'dip' for emphasis on lack of consequence.

a featherweight reduction

Uses a metaphorical 'featherweight' to describe the light nature of the reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "a trivial drop" in a sentence?

You can use "a trivial drop" to describe something that has decreased slightly and is of little importance. For example: "The company's profits experienced "a trivial drop" this quarter, but overall performance remains strong."

What can I say instead of "a trivial drop"?

Alternatives include "a minor decrease", "an insignificant reduction", or "a negligible amount", depending on the context and the level of formality desired.

Which is correct, "a trivial drop" or "a significant drop"?

Both are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "A trivial drop" indicates a small and unimportant decrease, while "a significant drop" indicates a large and important decrease. The correct choice depends on the actual magnitude of the change you're describing.

What's the difference between "a trivial drop" and "a slight decline"?

While both phrases suggest a small decrease, "a slight decline" focuses more on the downward trend, while "a trivial drop" emphasizes the unimportance of the amount of the decrease. They are often interchangeable, but "a trivial drop" is better suited when you want to downplay the significance of the change.