banalities

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "banalities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to trite, overly familiar comments that lack originality, such as platitudes or clichés. For example, you could say: "His response was filled with banalities, so I quickly changed the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And now here she was, working with Farukh to reduce herself to safe banalities – to cats and ice-cream and top 40 chart music.

The Guardian - Tech

The blasting – the bombardment of the algorithm with Tumblr pages about Lindsey's trips to the beach, the shock and awe of these pleasant banalities – has to be choreographed just right.

The Guardian - Tech

At a time when Germany faces historic decisions about the future of the European Union, its politicians are waging an election campaign about banalities.

The Economist

Perhaps the banalities will eventually be edited out.

The Economist

When asked what it meant by pollsters, most struggled, then fell back on such banalities as "the stiff upper lip" and "drinking tea".

The Economist

Social policy is reduced to banalities (affirmative action is against the Constitution; "the Liberal Arts University has had it").

The Economist

The collection feels personal as if it had a compelling need to be written.A decade and a half ago Mr Heaney told The Economist that once the evil banalities of sectarianism seemed to be receding, his verse was able to admit the "big words" with which poetry had once abounded: soul and spirit, for example.

The Economist

"Margin Call", by contrast, depicts the many banalities that make for a financial meltdown, and the near-silent panic that sets in.

The Economist

Scott McClellan, Mr Bush's press secretary, repeats banalities while trying to raise the bar for wrongdoing.

The Economist

Do that and you end up producing the sterile banalities of corporate speeches.Another criticism is that Messrs Bush and Gerson overstep the mark that separates church from state.

The Economist

DURING his state visit to America last week, President Hu Jintao of China offered some familiar banalities and worthy pieties, as this week's Banyan remarks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "banalities" when you want to criticize statements or ideas for being unoriginal and lacking depth. It implies a sense of disappointment or frustration with the lack of insightful or novel content.

Common error

While "banalities" is appropriate for criticizing lack of originality, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more precise terms that specify the exact weakness of the argument, such as "oversimplifications", "unsupported claims", or "logical fallacies".

Linguistic Context

The word "banalities" functions primarily as a noun, typically used in the plural form. It refers to statements or ideas that are trite, commonplace, and lacking in originality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its role in describing uninspired expressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "banalities" refers to trite, unoriginal statements, functioning as a noun primarily used to criticize a lack of depth or insight. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, notably in News & Media. While its usage is acceptable in both formal and informal settings, more precise language might be needed in academic writing. Related phrases such as "clichéd expressions" or "trite remarks" offer similar criticisms with nuanced differences. Remember, while using "banalities", avoid relying on the very thing you are criticizing: unoriginal thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trite remarks

Focuses on the worn-out and unoriginal nature of the comments.

clichéd expressions

Highlights the reliance on overused and predictable phrases.

hackneyed phrases

Emphasizes the staleness and lack of impact due to overuse.

platitudes

Specifically refers to statements that are morally instructive but overused and meaningless.

commonplaces

Highlights the ordinary and unexceptional nature of the statements.

mundane observations

Focuses on the boring and uninteresting quality of the comments.

stereotypical notions

Highlights the reliance on oversimplified and generalized ideas.

unoriginal thoughts

Emphasizes the lack of creativity and novelty in the ideas.

predictable statements

Focuses on the lack of surprise or interest in the expressions.

empty rhetoric

Suggests that the language is used for effect but lacks substance or sincerity.

FAQs

How can I use "banalities" in a sentence?

You can use "banalities" to describe statements or ideas that are trite, overused, and lacking in originality. For example: "The speech was filled with "banalities" about working together and achieving common goals."

What are some synonyms for "banalities"?

Some synonyms for "banalities" include "platitudes", "clichés", "commonplaces", and "trite remarks". These words all describe statements that are unoriginal and lacking in depth.

Is it appropriate to use "banalities" in formal writing?

Yes, it is acceptable, but use with discretion. While "banalities" is understood in formal contexts, consider whether a more precise term might better convey your intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "the argument was full of "banalities"", you might say "the argument relied on oversimplifications".

What is the difference between "banalities" and "generalizations"?

"Banalities" refers to statements that are trite and unoriginal, while "generalizations" are broad statements or ideas that may or may not be true in all cases. A generalization may be a banality if it is overused and lacking in originality, but not all generalizations are "banalities".