inconsiderable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'inconsiderable' is correct and can be used in written English.
It means small or insignificant in size, amount, or importance. Example: The cost of repairing the roof was inconsiderable compared to the overall cost of renovating the house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

And Fabio Capello set his not inconsiderable jaw at the world, put a not inconsiderate pay cheque in his pocket and set about making Russia at last live up to its potential.

The Guardian - Sport

The orchestra will need to keep in mind its longer-term potential.And that may not be inconsiderable.

The Economist

He brushes past the (not inconsiderable) technical complexities of Mr Fastow's off-balance-sheet schemes and heads straight for the personalities.

The Economist

For much of the past half century, the LDP has dominated the political landscape with the not inconsiderable help of Japan Post's vast assets and political influence while efficiently stifling public dissent from its wayward members.

The Economist

But he has at least made a start on reform, and it is not inconsiderable.

The Economist

While hardly inconsiderable, that is less than 10% of current revenues.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But it turns out he's more unpleasant than she previously thought, to the extent that it might put their latest project in some not-inconsiderable jeopardy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The not-inconsiderable abilities of the Labour chief whip would dictate what any such government could achieve.

The Economist

Indeed, there is reason to believe that the later, more stable regime made possible a not-inconsiderable Jewish immigration not, it seems, as in earlier times, from the neighbouring lands of the Middle East but from Europe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

King's favourite vile pervert Wilde achieved the not-inconsiderable feat of contaminating his own first name (commonplace before his disgrace).

Independent

Then again, there's always been an element on the West Coast which gravitates towards the way we do things in Old Yurp, and the suntanned Scandophiles are out in force tonight, a not-inconsiderable show of support in a venue where it's $10 a drink and you have to pay to wash your hands.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inconsiderable" to downplay the significance of an amount, size, or impact. It is often more impactful when used with "not", as in "not inconsiderable", to emphasize that something is actually quite significant.

Common error

Avoid using "inconsiderable" to describe emotional states or subjective experiences. It's best suited for quantifiable or measurable aspects. For emotional contexts, consider words like "minor" or "negligible."

Linguistic Context

The term "inconsiderable" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are small, unimportant, or insignificant. As noted by Ludwig AI, it effectively diminishes the perceived impact or size of the noun it modifies. For instance, 'the cost was inconsiderable'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inconsiderable" is an adjective used to describe something as small, unimportant, or negligible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and effectively used to minimize the significance of something in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and science, its register leans towards neutral to formal. While synonyms like "negligible" or "insignificant" exist, "inconsiderable" often carries a nuance of being small relative to something else. Remembering to avoid using it for subjective emotional states and understanding the impact of "not inconsiderable" can refine its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible

Indicates something so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention; a direct synonym.

insignificant

Refers to something lacking in importance or consequence; very close in meaning.

trifling

Describes something of little worth or importance, often implying triviality.

minor

Signifies something small or of lesser importance; slightly broader in application.

trivial

Denotes something unimportant or frivolous; similar in connotation but can sometimes imply a lack of seriousness.

unimportant

A general term for something not important or significant.

slight

Implies a small degree or amount of something; can be used in contexts where "inconsiderable" fits.

paltry

Describes something ridiculously or insultingly small; carries a slightly negative connotation.

minimal

Indicates the least possible or allowable amount; focuses on quantity more than significance.

scant

Suggests a barely sufficient amount; implies deficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "inconsiderable" in a sentence?

You can use "inconsiderable" to describe something of little importance or size, for example: "The damage to the car was "inconsiderable"." Often, it is used with "not" to emphasize the significance: "The benefits were not "inconsiderable"."

What are some alternatives to "inconsiderable"?

Alternatives include "negligible", "insignificant", or "trivial", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "inconsiderable" or "not inconsiderable"?

"Inconsiderable" means small or insignificant. "Not inconsiderable" is an understatement (litotes) used to mean significant or substantial. The choice depends on whether you want to minimize or emphasize the subject's importance.

What is the difference between "inconsiderable" and "negligible"?

While both suggest a small amount, "negligible" often implies that something is so small it can be safely ignored. "Inconsiderable" suggests something is small relative to something else, without necessarily being ignored.