meaningless remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meaningless remark" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a comment that lacks significance or value in a conversation. For example, "His response was just a meaningless remark that added nothing to the discussion." Alternative expressions include "pointless comment" and "insignificant statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Not really, of course, but that's the kind of meaningless remark from which Mr. Eno derives both humor and twinges of quiet feeling.

The New York Times

Every nervous giggle, coy look, awkward silence and meaningless remark is captured, rather prettily, by the film's director, cinematographer and co-writer, Conrad Jackson.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other meaningless, nervous remarks, but even so, he was getting other information from me.

Vice

Hence his remark, meaningless except to insiders, about capital punishment's being "a great deterrent to monologues"; and so much for de Cordova's description of Carson as a supreme "self-editor" who never needed censorship).

The New Yorker

Ironically, this has been the most common defense I've seen of Sanders' statements -- it was just a meaningless, off-the-cuff remark that might betray his generation's less-than-punctilious approach to language.

Huffington Post

Just as Representative Todd Akin made a meaningless distinction in his remarks about "legitimate rape," Mr. Ryan's distinction among different kinds of conception is meaningless and willfully deceptive.

The New York Times

But other remarks are campy or close to meaningless: "The pain!

The New York Times

Prior to this, as Bohr remarked, spectra seemed as beautiful and meaningless as butterflies' wings, but now, in the words of another great pioneer, Arnold Sommerfeld, they were revealed as "a true atomic music of the spheres".

The New Yorker

Remarks like "The data presented in figure 8 are meaningless," can be replaced with "The quality of the experimental data in figure 8 needs to be improved before the interpretation of the authors can be accepted".

Science Magazine

The remark -- "The Franco-French cultural exception is dead" -- was largely meaningless to most of the French, but those in the movie industry read it as a threat to their survival.

The New York Times

Your correspondents' comment that the remark- I would submit the diagnosis has not changed- is meaningless and uninformative.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "meaningless remark". It is suitable for formal and informal situations where a comment is clearly insignificant.

Common error

While "meaningless remark" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly critical. Instead, opt for more nuanced alternatives such as "unsubstantiated claim" or "irrelevant point" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meaningless remark" functions primarily as a noun phrase where "meaningless" is an adjective modifying the noun "remark". It is used to describe a statement that lacks significance, purpose, or substance. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meaningless remark" is a phrase used to describe a statement that lacks significance or value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, alternatives like "pointless comment" or "irrelevant comment" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired tone. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to critically assess or dismiss a statement. The overall tone is generally neutral, although the phrase inherently implies a negative evaluation of the remark.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pointless comment

Focuses on the lack of purpose or value in the statement.

empty statement

Emphasizes the lack of content or substance.

insignificant comment

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact of the comment.

hollow utterance

Highlights the insincerity or lack of genuine feeling behind the words.

inane comment

Stresses the silliness or foolishness of the remark.

vacuous comment

Highlights the lack of intellectual substance or depth.

trivial observation

Underscores the lack of importance or significance of the remark.

fatuous statement

Highlights the foolish and pointless nature of the remark.

banal observation

Emphasizes the ordinariness and lack of originality in the remark.

idle chatter

Implies the remark is part of casual, unimportant conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "meaningless remark" in a sentence?

You can use "meaningless remark" to describe a statement that lacks significance or value, such as, "His response was just a "meaningless remark" that added nothing to the discussion".

What are some alternatives to saying "meaningless remark"?

Alternatives include "pointless comment", "empty statement", or "insignificant comment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "meaningless remark" a formal or informal expression?

"Meaningless remark" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using more precise alternatives like "unsubstantiated claim" or "irrelevant point".

What's the difference between a "meaningless remark" and an "irrelevant comment"?

A "meaningless remark" suggests a lack of substance or value, while an "irrelevant comment" indicates that the statement is not related to the topic at hand. A remark can be both meaningless and irrelevant, but not always.