is trivial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is trivial" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not important or of little value. For example, "The cost of the materials is trivial compared to the cost of labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mathematically, this is trivial.

The Economist

Technically, this is trivial.

The Economist

"Everything on earth is trivial.

The New Yorker

Not that the confidence issue is trivial.

The New York Times

In one sense, that is trivial.

The Economist

Granted, most of it is trivial.

The New York Times - Tech

The response of our government is trivial.

Independent

Light from stars is trivial by comparison.

The Economist

But don't assume this is trivial stuff.

The Guardian - Books

Getting wrinkles is trivial.

Forbes

Which is trivial.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is trivial" to succinctly dismiss something as unimportant or easily resolved, but ensure the context justifies this characterization to avoid appearing dismissive.

Common error

Avoid overusing "is trivial" as it can sound condescending or dismissive. Consider using more nuanced language to explain why something is not important, rather than simply labeling it as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is trivial" functions as a copular clause, linking the subject to an adjective that describes it as unimportant or easily managed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and common expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is trivial" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is unimportant, easily understood, or requires minimal consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility spans from formal academic discourse to more casual settings, although careful use is advised to avoid sounding dismissive. The phrase appears most often in scientific and news media contexts. When you need to convey that something is not significant, "is trivial" offers a succinct way to do so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of no importance

Directly states the lack of significance or relevance.

is insignificant

Changes the adjective to emphasize a lack of importance or consequence.

is inconsequential

Stresses the lack of impact or effect.

is a minor issue

Highlights that the matter is small and doesn't warrant much attention.

is negligible

Indicates that something is so small it can be ignored.

is of little consequence

Emphasizes the lack of importance in terms of outcomes or results.

is a simple matter

Emphasizes the ease and lack of difficulty associated with something.

is easily understood

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of complexity, rather than importance.

is a moot point

Suggests that something is not worth discussing because it's already decided or irrelevant.

is not a big deal

Uses informal language to convey the lack of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "is trivial" in a sentence?

The phrase "is trivial" is used to indicate that something is unimportant, easily resolved, or self-evident. For example, "The difference in price between the two options "is trivial"."

What are some alternatives to "is trivial"?

Alternatives to "is trivial" include phrases like "is insignificant", "is negligible", or "is unimportant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is trivial"?

Use "is trivial" when you want to quickly dismiss something as being of little consequence or easily understood. Be mindful of your audience, as it can sometimes come across as dismissive.

Is "is trivial" formal or informal?

"Is trivial" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in technical or academic discussions. In more casual settings, alternatives like "is not a big deal" might be more appropriate.