inconsequential thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inconsequential thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is trivial or of little importance in a given context. Example: "While the meeting covered many topics, the discussion about the color of the office walls was just an inconsequential thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In the essay, Chesterton talks about how the vow has become an inconsequential thing.

The Guardian

He now walks onto the stage less like that inconsequential thing, a rock star, and more like Guthrie or John Lee Hooker.

The New Yorker

But at the same time, it strikes me as exactly the kind of meaningless and inconsequential thing that Malcolm Gladwell was talking about when he pooh-poohed the role of social media in political change.

TechCrunch

Obviously I've thought about this extremely inconsequential thing quite a lot.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, how to stop hating inconsequential things.

The Guardian - Music

But it did make me think about what an extraordinary waste of time hating inconsequential things is.

The Guardian - Music

She told me that she would warn young women that there were lots of apparently inconsequential things that they would be judged on, like their hair styles.

The New Yorker

McCarthy made herself a target of sexist condescension, the thinking goes, by writing primarily of inconsequential things, by being "minor" in her choice of subject.

The New Yorker

Really important things are commanded, important things are instructed, quite important things are taught and inconsequential things are shared in an involving relevant dialogue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Deliberate or not, by using observational comedy to cover maddeningly inconsequential things, Acaster has refreshed the "have-you-ever-noticed" format that has become hackneyed in recent years.

The Guardian

The moment I realised I could talk about not only myself, but something totally unimportant such as the experience of looking at the sunshine on a street, and bring these completely inconsequential things into this hallowed domain, that energised me and took me out of literature and its legitimate subjects into something new".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inconsequential thing" when you want to downplay the importance of something, especially in contrast to more significant matters. It can be effective for creating a sense of perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "inconsequential thing" too frequently, as it can sound dismissive or condescending. Vary your language with synonyms like "trivial matter" or "minor detail" to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconsequential thing" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify something as being unimportant or trivial. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inconsequential thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something of little importance. Ludwig AI confirms this. Although its usage is infrequent, it's suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While effective for providing perspective, avoid overuse to maintain a balanced tone. Consider related phrases like "trivial matter" or "minor detail" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unimportant matter

Directly states the lack of significance.

trivial matter

Emphasizes the insignificance of the subject.

minor detail

Highlights the unimportance of a specific element.

insignificant detail

Stresses the irrelevance of a fact or element.

petty issue

Highlights a problem that is unimportant.

negligible issue

Focuses on the minimal impact of the issue.

pointless detail

Highlights the lack of purpose or value.

trifling matter

Implies the issue is not worth considering seriously.

non-essential element

Focuses on something which is not necessary.

piddling detail

Conveys a sense of something very small and insignificant.

FAQs

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

You can use "inconsequential thing" to refer to something of little importance. For example, "While the project had some setbacks, worrying about the color scheme was an "inconsequential thing" in the grand scheme."

What phrases are similar to "inconsequential thing"?

Alternatives include "trivial matter", "minor detail", or "unimportant matter". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is "inconsequential thing" formal or informal?

"Inconsequential thing" is generally suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. In very formal settings, consider alternatives like "insignificant detail".

What's the difference between "inconsequential thing" and "irrelevant detail"?

"Inconsequential thing" emphasizes the lack of importance, while "irrelevant detail" focuses on the lack of connection or pertinence to the subject at hand. They both indicate that something is not important for different reasons.