minor compared to

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor compared to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to compare two things or ideas, with one being less significant or important than the other. It is typically used when the minor thing is being contrasted with the major thing. Example: The cost of the repairs was minor compared to the value of the antique car. In this sentence, the minor thing (cost of repairs) is being compared to the major thing (value of the antique car). It conveys that the cost of repairs was not significant in comparison to the overall value of the car. Another example: The amount of time spent arguing was minor compared to the progress they made on the project. In this sentence, the minor thing (time spent arguing) is being compared to the major thing (progress on the project). It suggests that although there was some time wasted arguing, it was not significant in comparison to the progress made on the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Believe me, your problems are minor compared to A Rod's".

The New Yorker

However, these impacts are minor compared to the RPS scenario.

Energy Economics

But those items are minor compared to the revenue split.

The New York Times - Sports

"So getting married is minor, compared to the fear of schism".

The New York Times

But that public pratfall was minor compared to the damage being inflicted on Enron's stock.

The New York Times

Today, the Pledge controversy may seem minor compared to other gaps in education.

The New York Times

Or that the sorts of incidents involving Asian-Americans are minor compared to other groups?

The New York Times

It's minor compared to what would come later, but it's the standout of these five tracks, nonetheless.

The Guardian - Music

However, that personal blow felt minor compared to the overwhelming dejection that spread across English rugby after the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Could the environmental harm caused by the company be relatively minor compared to the cost to shareholders?

The New Yorker

I have no idea, but that's so minor compared to the importance of the release of those documents.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor compared to" to clearly indicate that one item or issue is of lesser importance or impact than another. This helps prioritize information and provide context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "minor compared to" when the differences are negligible. If the items are almost equal in significance, consider alternative phrasing that reflects a smaller disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor compared to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI shows it is used to establish a hierarchical relationship between two entities, highlighting that one is of lesser importance, impact, or magnitude than the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minor compared to" is a widely used and grammatically sound comparative phrase that helps to establish relative significance. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it judiciously, avoiding instances where the differences are negligible. By understanding its function and heeding usage guidelines, writers can effectively employ "minor compared to" to enhance clarity and provide context in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less significant than

Focuses on the relative importance or consequence.

not as important as

Emphasizes a difference in importance.

pale in comparison to

Highlights a dramatic difference, where one thing is much weaker or less impressive.

dwarfed by

Implies that one thing is much smaller or less significant than the other.

overshadowed by

Suggests that one thing is hidden or made less noticeable by something else.

insignificant beside

Highlights the lack of significance of one item when placed next to another.

secondary to

Indicates that something has a lower priority or rank.

a distant second to

Further emphasizes the gap in importance.

outweighed by

Suggests that one aspect is heavier or more important than another.

relatively unimportant compared with

More verbose and explicit about the comparison of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "minor compared to" in a sentence?

Use "minor compared to" to show that something is less significant than something else. For example, "The cost of the damage was "minor compared to" the overall value of the house".

What are some alternatives to "minor compared to"?

Alternatives include "less significant than", "not as important as", or "pale in comparison to", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "minor compared to"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that one thing is clearly less important, impactful, or significant than another. Avoid using it if the differences are negligible.

What's the difference between "minor compared to" and "insignificant compared to"?

"Insignificant compared to" "insignificant compared to" suggests something is almost worthless or irrelevant in comparison, while "minor compared to" implies it's just less important but still potentially relevant.