little matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is of minor importance or significance. Example: "While the issue was raised during the meeting, it was ultimately deemed a little matter that did not require further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Little matter.

The Economist

Little matter that Afghanistan is worryingly unstable.

The Economist

A little matter of $600m. .

The Times

There's just a little matter of security..

The Times

There's also the little matter of destiny.

The New York Times - Books

Finally, there's the little matter of coverage.

The New York Times - Tech

Taste is of little matter to them.

The New York Times

But there was the little matter of her list.

The New York Times

Finally, there is the little matter of 2020 election itself.

Independent

There is also the little matter of future defence spending.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then there is the little {well, not so little} matter of food and drink.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, modify the phrase to fit the specific context. For example, use "of little matter" to emphasize a formal tone, or "just a little matter" to downplay the significance.

Common error

Avoid using "little matter" when the issue at hand genuinely carries significant weight. Overusing it can diminish your credibility and make your assertions seem dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little matter" primarily functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is of minor importance or insignificant. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct, and the examples show it used to downplay the relevance of various issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little matter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote something of minor importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a qualifier and serves to downplay significance in various contexts. It's commonly found in news and media sources, with a neutral to slightly informal register. While versatile, careful application is crucial to avoid understating genuine concerns. Alternatives like "minor importance" and "trivial issue" can offer more formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor importance

Focuses on the degree of importance rather than presenting something as an afterthought.

trivial issue

Highlights the insignificance of a problem or concern.

inconsequential detail

Emphasizes the lack of impact or relevance of a specific aspect.

of no great concern

Indicates a lack of worry or alarm about something.

not a big deal

Uses informal language to convey that something is not problematic.

secondary consideration

Presents the item as a lower priority compared to other factors.

a detail of little consequence

Stresses the unimportance of a specific detail.

a mere detail

Highlights how small or simple a detail is, often dismissing its importance.

a side issue

Positions the item as unrelated or tangential to the main topic.

an insignificant point

Denotes the low value or impact of a specific argument or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "little matter" in a sentence?

You can use "little matter" to indicate something is of minor importance. For example: "Little matter that the meat might be cardboard thin, with clumps of fat and sinew."

What's a more formal alternative to "little matter"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "minor importance" or "trivial issue" to convey that something is not particularly significant.

Is it correct to say "a little matter" or should I always use "little matter"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "A little matter" often introduces a subject that needs attention but isn't overly concerning, while "little matter" tends to dismiss the subject as unimportant.

How does the phrase "no matter" differ from "little matter"?

"No matter" is used to indicate that something does not affect an outcome or situation, expressing indifference or irrelevance. In contrast, "little matter" suggests that something is of minor importance.