a trivial thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trivial thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is insignificant or of little importance. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, worrying about a trivial thing like a missed deadline is unnecessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And anaemia is not a trivial thing.

The Economist

That's not a trivial thing".

The Guardian - Business

"It's not a trivial thing to do".

The Guardian - Tech

Climbing a mountain is a trivial thing.

The Guardian

SP: That's not a trivial thing.

MIT Technology Review

Immediately, you can see this is not a trivial thing".

The Guardian - Money

"But it is not a trivial thing to re-engineer their systems".

The New York Times - Tech

It seemed to me a trivial thing for you to be doing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Taken in a vacuum, a fairly trivial thing happened a few days ago.

TechCrunch

Their considered opinion was that "the great and famous art of the past is, in fact, a very trivial thing".

The Guardian - Arts

They, like others, have initially considered social to be a relatively trivial thing and dismissed it and they're now coming to the realization that it is as complicated and tricky and delicate in a different way than figuring out the algorithmic data approaches to doing search.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trivial thing" to downplay the importance of something, especially when contrasting it with more significant matters. This can help maintain perspective and avoid overreacting to minor setbacks.

Common error

Avoid using "a trivial thing" to dismiss someone else's valid concerns or feelings. What may seem unimportant to you might be significant to another person, so using the phrase carelessly can be insensitive and dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trivial thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It describes something as being of little significance or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a trivial thing" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote something of little importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources but is versatile enough for various contexts, from Academia to general conversation. When writing, it's crucial to be mindful of the impact this phrase can have, avoiding its use to dismiss valid concerns. Consider alternatives like "a minor issue" or "an insignificant matter" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor issue

Focuses on the problem aspect being small, rather than the thing itself.

an insignificant matter

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

a petty detail

Highlights the smallness and unimportance of a specific aspect.

a negligible detail

Highlights the smallness and unimportance of a specific aspect.

a small matter

A general term for something unimportant; slightly more formal.

a trifling concern

Implies the concern is not worth serious consideration.

an inconsequential item

Stresses that the item has no impact or effect.

a featherweight problem

Uses metaphor to indicate the problem is not serious.

a lightweight concern

Uses metaphor to indicate the concern is not serious.

a non-issue

Suggests that something is not a real problem at all.

FAQs

What does "a trivial thing" mean?

The phrase "a trivial thing" refers to something that is unimportant, insignificant, or of little value. It implies that the matter is not worth worrying about or paying much attention to.

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

You can use "a trivial thing" to downplay something's importance, such as, "In the grand scheme of things, the color of the curtains is "a trivial thing"."

What are some alternatives to "a trivial thing"?

Alternatives to "a trivial thing" include "a minor issue", "an insignificant matter", "a petty detail", or "a small matter", depending on the specific context.

When is it inappropriate to call something "a trivial thing"?

It's inappropriate to call something "a trivial thing" when it's clearly important to someone else or when it has significant consequences, even if those consequences aren't immediately apparent. Be mindful of others' perspectives before using this phrase.