are of little consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are of little consequence" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is not significant or important. Example: The spelling errors in his email are of little consequence compared to the main point of his message.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Individually, these things are of little consequence.

The Guardian

Besides, a lot of the closeups are of little consequence.

The New York Times - Sports

His motives are of little consequence; he is a mere moon, striving to free himself from Catherine's gravitational pull.

The New Yorker

They may lose political face; but the careers of Bush and Blair are of little consequence compared to environmental mayhem and military agony.

The Guardian

"To state the obvious, legal powers, whether conferred on the FSA, or local authorities, the police or any other organisation, are of little consequence without the resources – people and funding – to use them".

The Guardian

Now that Hong Kong is safely in Chinese hands, and the threat of democracy in the former colony has been extinguished, Patten's views are of little consequence to Beijing anyway.... Having handed his enemies a stick to beat him with, K.R.M. can expect to be sore for some time to come.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Strategically, it was of little consequence.

The New Yorker

The rule anyway is of little consequence.

The Economist

WILL SMITH That is of little consequence.

The Guardian - Film

That is of little consequence to Mr. Lobe, 57.

The New York Times

As an astronomical body, it is of little consequence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are of little consequence" when you want to downplay the significance of certain details or factors in a discussion or analysis. It's especially effective when contrasting less important elements with more crucial ones.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are of little consequence" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "don't matter much" or "aren't a big deal" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are of little consequence" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying the subject by describing its relative unimportance or insignificance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and used to downplay the relevance of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are of little consequence" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote something's lack of importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently encountered in news and scientific writing, indicating a formal to neutral register. When aiming for conciseness or informality, alternatives such as "are insignificant" or "don't matter much" can be employed. Remember to consider the context and audience to ensure the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not important

Directly states the lack of importance, simplifying the original phrase.

are of minor importance

Highlights that the importance is reduced but still present to some extent.

are insignificant

Uses a single word to convey the lack of significance, making it more concise.

don't matter much

Informal phrasing emphasizing the reduced importance or impact.

are immaterial

A more formal way of saying something doesn't matter or have relevance.

are not a big deal

An idiomatic and informal expression for something not being significant.

have little bearing

Indicates a weak connection or influence, implying a lack of importance.

are of marginal relevance

Focuses on the limited relevance or pertinence of something.

are beside the point

Suggests that something is not relevant to the current discussion or situation.

are neither here nor there

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the irrelevance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are of little consequence" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates that something is not important or significant. For example, "The delays "are of little consequence" compared to the overall success of the project".

What are some alternatives to "are of little consequence"?

Consider using phrases like "are insignificant", "don't matter much", or "are immaterial" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "are of little consequence" formal or informal?

The phrase "are of little consequence" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler expressions might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "are of little consequence" and "are not important"?

"Are of little consequence" is a more nuanced and somewhat formal way of saying "are not important". The former suggests a lower degree of significance than the latter.