insignificant matters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insignificant matters" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to issues or topics that are considered unimportant or trivial in a given context. Example: "While we appreciate your input, we should focus on the major issues rather than getting bogged down by insignificant matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And on all but the most insignificant matters they vote the party line.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There is also the not insignificant matter of the dire security situation.

The Guardian

"These people may be well paid, but this is not an insignificant matter".

The New York Times - Tech

But first, there is the not insignificant matter of Mr Ahn.

The Economist

And then there was the not insignificant matter of lifting a few hundred pounds over her head again and again.

The New York Times - Sports

"I called the next day and said, 'I want it.' " There was, however, the not insignificant matter of nudity and the graphic depiction of sexual acts.

The New York Times - Arts

"He didn't do anything," Lukas said about the shoe, like any trainer reporting an insignificant matter just before the most important race of the horse's career.

The New York Times - Sports

Intrigue would normally surround that given the previously routine partnership against the Americans and the not insignificant matter of an ongoing legal battle between McIlroy and his former management company.

The Guardian - Sport

On the hardly insignificant matter of restoring America's reputation in the world he has delivered a degree of what he promised (though even there the tough times are still ahead of him, as our next leader makes clear).

The Economist

The firm also found that the Nobel's strict secrecy rules had been broken; it seems that Arnault repeatedly leaked the names of winners, presumably with Frostenson's help — not an insignificant matter when you consider the frenzied betting that takes place before the prize is announced each year.

The New Yorker

This raises the not insignificant matter of what constitutes a Biblical phrase, or more precisely a Biblical turn of expression.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "insignificant matters" to redirect conversations or meetings away from unproductive tangents.

Common error

Avoid spending excessive time or resources on "insignificant matters" at the expense of more critical issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insignificant matters" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It identifies topics or issues deemed unimportant. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insignificant matters" is a grammatically sound way to describe unimportant issues. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to downplay certain topics. When writing, it's useful for redirecting focus and setting priorities, but avoid overemphasizing or dwelling on these trivialities. Alternatives like ""trivial issues"" or ""minor concerns"" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trivial issues

Replaces "matters" with "issues" emphasizing the unimportance of the subjects.

minor concerns

Substitutes "matters" with "concerns", suggesting a slightly more worried perspective on unimportant things.

petty affairs

Replaces "insignificant" with "petty" and "matters" with "affairs", highlighting triviality and often negative connotation.

trifling concerns

Uses "trifling" instead of "insignificant", which is less frequently employed but has a similar impact.

unimportant details

Replaces "matters" with "details" emphasizing the lack of significance of specifics.

negligible issues

Replaces "insignificant" with "negligible", stressing that the issues are so small they can be ignored.

inconsequential items

Swaps "insignificant" for "inconsequential" and "matters" for "items", underlining the lack of importance.

piddling affairs

Uses the informal term "piddling" emphasizing insignificance, less formal than "insignificant".

minor details

Simple substitution of "matters" with "details", focusing on the minutiae.

trivial subjects

Replaces "matters" with "subjects", indicating the topic is unimportant or commonplace.

FAQs

How can I use "insignificant matters" in a sentence?

You can use "insignificant matters" to refer to issues that are unimportant or trivial. For example: "We should focus on the major issues rather than getting bogged down by "insignificant matters"".

What are some alternatives to "insignificant matters"?

Alternatives include "trivial issues", "minor concerns", or "petty affairs" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "insignificant matters" in formal writing?

Yes, "insignificant matters" is suitable for formal writing, but be mindful of the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall message. More formal alternatives might include "negligible issues".

What's the difference between "insignificant matters" and "unimportant details"?

"Insignificant matters" generally refers to broader issues or topics that lack importance, while "unimportant details" focuses on specific pieces of information that are not critical.