a trivial quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trivial quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a quantity that is insignificant or of little importance in a particular situation. Example: "In the grand scheme of the experiment, the difference in measurements was considered a trivial quantity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the end, that made little difference, since she left a "0" off the quantity when she was entering her limit order for Exide, and ended up owning only a trivial amount of the stock.

Forbes

That is not a trivial amount.

The New York Times

If that comparatively trivial quantity of Obama voters in Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Nevada, and Colorado had gone the other way, Obama would still have won the national popular vote by 3,082,474 votes — a bigger margin than, for example, what George W. Bush piled up in his reëlection victory, in 2004.

The New Yorker

A trivial matter?

The New York Times - Arts

A trivial pursuit?

The New York Times - Tech

That seemed a trivial concern.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a trivial matter.

The New York Times

This was neither a trivial risk nor a trivial investment.

Harvard Business Review

That would not be a trivial change.

The Economist

Quantitative easing is not a trivial matter.

The New York Times

That can't be a trivial matter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trivial quantity" when you want to downplay the significance of a small amount, suggesting it's not worth worrying about. Ensure the context supports this interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a trivial quantity" when the amount, though small, actually has a significant impact. Even seemingly small quantities can be important in certain situations.

Linguistic Context

A trivial quantity functions as a noun phrase that includes an adjective modifying the noun. It serves to describe an amount that is so small it is considered unimportant or negligible. Based on Ludwig AI feedback, it is correct and usable in written English, serving to minimize the perceived impact of the quantity being described.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Academia

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Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a trivial quantity" is a grammatically sound way to describe an amount that is small and considered unimportant. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Because there are no direct examples, it’s hard to determine exact frequency or contexts, but it can be effectively replaced by similar phrases like "an insignificant amount" or "a negligible quantity". When employing this phrase, ensure that downplaying the amount's significance aligns with the overall message, avoiding its use if the amount, despite being small, carries significant weight. This will maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an insignificant amount

Focuses on the lack of importance rather than just the size.

a negligible quantity

Highlights the fact that the quantity is so small it can be ignored.

a minor amount

Emphasizes the small size of the amount.

an inconsequential amount

Stresses the lack of consequence or impact of the amount.

a trifling amount

Implies the amount is so small it's not worth considering.

a pittance

Suggests a very small and inadequate amount.

a drop in the bucket

Illustrates the insignificance of the amount compared to the whole.

a mere fraction

Highlights that the quantity is only a small part of a larger whole.

an infinitesimal amount

Implies an extremely small amount, approaching zero.

virtually nothing

Emphasizes the near absence of any quantity.

FAQs

How to use "a trivial quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "a trivial quantity" to describe something that is so small that it is not important. For example: "The error in the calculation was "a trivial quantity" and did not affect the final result."

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

You can use alternatives like "an insignificant amount", "a negligible quantity", or "a minor amount" depending on the context.

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

"A trivial quantity" and "a significant quantity" are antonyms. The correct phrase depends on whether you want to emphasize the smallness or the importance of the quantity. If the quantity is small and unimportant, use ""a trivial quantity"". Otherwise, use "a significant quantity".

What's the difference between "a trivial quantity" and "a small quantity"?

While both phrases indicate a small amount, ""a trivial quantity"" implies that the amount is not only small but also unimportant or inconsequential. "A small quantity" simply refers to the size without necessarily implying a lack of importance.