minor character

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor character" is correct and commonly used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe a character in a story who plays a smaller role compared to the main characters. Here is an example sentence using "minor character": "In the novel, the main character's best friend serves as a minor character, offering comedic relief and providing support to the protagonist throughout her journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You are minor character, always," he explains.

The New Yorker

Yet Crane is a relatively minor character.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mrs. Nixon wished to be a minor character.

The New York Times

Why does a minor character seem unexpectedly familiar?

The Guardian - Books

Again, the Hummingbird is not a minor character.

The New Yorker

(Example: a minor character turns up in a shallow grave).

The New York Times - Books

Every major character is a minor character, too.

The New York Times - Books

Buncha novellas with a minor character in common?

The New York Times - Books

Everyone, in the end, is a waiter: a minor character.

The Guardian - Books

"A minor character in my novels always gets it".

The Guardian - Books

John really was a minor character," insists Julia.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the term "minor character" to show how the writer created a certain setting.

Common error

Avoid attributing disproportionate importance to a "minor character". Focus your analysis on their actual role within the narrative's structure and thematic concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor character" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of character within a narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in defining characters with limited roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor character" is a noun phrase used to describe a character with a limited role in a story. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its purpose is to classify and describe a character's significance, and its register is typically neutral. Common alternatives include "supporting character" and "secondary character". Use "minor character" to analyze literature and don't overstate their importance. The term is very common in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporting character

Focuses on the character's role in supporting the main narrative, highlighting their auxiliary function.

secondary character

Emphasizes the character's place in a hierarchy of importance within the story.

non-essential character

Emphasizes that the character is not crucial to the core narrative.

incidental character

Highlights the character's casual or occasional involvement in the plot.

peripheral character

Stresses the character's position on the edges of the main action.

tertiary character

Identifies the character as being of third-level importance in the hierarchy of characters.

small role

Refers to the character's limited presence or impact on the story.

bit part

Describes a character with a very minimal role, often appearing briefly.

background character

Indicates a character that primarily exists to populate the scene or setting.

walk-on role

Suggests a character with an extremely brief appearance, often without dialogue.

FAQs

How is a "minor character" different from a major character?

A "minor character" plays a less significant role in the story's plot and character development compared to the major character, who is central to the narrative.

What is the purpose of a "minor character" in a story?

A "minor character" can serve various purposes, such as providing context, comedic relief, furthering the plot in subtle ways, or highlighting aspects of the main characters.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "minor character"?

You can use alternatives like "supporting character", "secondary character", or "incidental character" depending on the context.

Can a "minor character" become a major character?

Yes, in some narratives, a "minor character" can evolve and take on a more significant role, becoming a central figure in later parts of the story or in sequels.