a triviality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a triviality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is insignificant or of little importance. Example: "While the debate was interesting, many participants felt that the issue at hand was merely a triviality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It sounds like a triviality.

The Economist

That magnets affect the organism, that's a triviality.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bets are far from a triviality or merely a form of entertainment over a pint in the pub.

The Guardian

"There was a triviality to a lot of our politics in recent years, a lot of posturing on both sides.

The New York Times

It doesn't seem to have found even a mildly tawdry means to impugn Clooney's motives, and the false story was not a triviality.

The New Yorker

This hard-won result became almost a triviality with the discovery of the fundamental theorem of calculus a few decades later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Which is to say: the national post-Vietnam psychological complex enforced a certain triviality inappropriate to the gravest questions a nation can face.

The New York Times

Though a mathematical triviality, the Theorem's central insight — that a hypothesis is supported by any body of data it renders probable — lies at the heart of all subjectivist approaches to epistemology, statistics, and inductive logic.

SEP

Um, O.K. – one sees the logic, but senses a certain triviality.

The New York Times

By Mark Strand The New Yorker, February 15 , 1993P. 64 There is a certain triviality in living here, View Article By Phil Klay By Troy Patterson By John Cassidy By Amy Davidson Sorkin.

The New Yorker

To call this a minor triviality of Canadian life is to ignore one of the country's highest-profile policy debates of the past half-decade.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a triviality" when you want to downplay the significance of something without necessarily dismissing it entirely. It acknowledges the existence of the thing but suggests it doesn't warrant significant attention or concern.

Common error

While "a triviality" is generally acceptable, excessive use in highly formal or professional writing can sound dismissive or condescending. Choose alternatives like "minor detail" or "small matter" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a triviality" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It indicates something insignificant or of little importance, as shown in Ludwig's examples. The AI also confirms it is correct to use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a triviality" is a noun phrase used to describe something of little importance or significance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With high presence in news, scientific, and academic contexts, this expression is suitable in many writing cases. When choosing to use "a triviality", remember to consider your intended tone, as it can sound dismissive in more formal settings. Consider using alternatives like "minor detail" or "small matter" to be more neutral. As the examples in Ludwig show, the phrase is widely applicable for deemphasizing specific elements within a broader discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an insignificance

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

a minor detail

Focuses on the small and unimportant nature of the item.

a small matter

Highlights the lack of seriousness or concern.

a trifling matter

Indicates something insignificant and not worth considering.

a negligible issue

Suggests that the matter is so small it can be ignored.

a matter of no consequence

Stresses the lack of impact or importance.

an inconsequentiality

A more formal term emphasizing lack of consequence.

a bagatelle

Implies something ornamental or frivolous and therefore unimportant.

a petty concern

Highlights the small and often irritating nature of the issue.

something of little account

Emphasizes that the thing in question has minimal value or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a triviality" to describe something unimportant or insignificant. For example, "The argument was over "a triviality" and not worth the energy."

What's a good alternative to "a triviality"?

Alternatives include "an insignificance", "a minor detail", or "a small matter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While generally acceptable, using "a triviality" too often in formal writing might sound dismissive. Consider alternatives like "a negligible issue" or "a matter of no consequence" for a more serious tone.

What does "a triviality" really mean?

"A triviality" refers to something that is of little importance or significance. It suggests that the item or issue is not worth serious consideration or attention.