minor incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant event that may have caused some disruption but is not serious. Example: "The meeting was briefly interrupted by a minor incident involving a spilled drink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another minor incident.

The New York Times - Food

"There was a minor incident.

The Guardian

That was a minor incident though!

The Guardian

Her resignation came after a very minor incident.

The New Yorker

"To a street officer, that would be a minor incident.

The New York Times

They say that the bridge collapse was a minor incident.

The Guardian - Sport

Anyway, said these sources, it was a "minor" incident.

The Guardian

"Any minor incident could unleash violence," says Mr Petkoff.

The Economist

"This is a very minor incident," he said.

The New York Times

It is a very minor incident and it has been dealt with in house".

The Guardian - Sport

No bad dreams followed, and it seemed a minor incident in our relaxing week.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “minor incident” to acknowledge a problem or disruption without exaggerating its severity, especially when reassuring others or providing updates.

Common error

Avoid using "minor incident" to describe events with significant consequences or potential harm. Overusing the phrase can diminish trust and raise concerns about transparency. If the incident involves risk or impact, be direct and transparent about what you know and what's being done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor incident" functions as a noun phrase, where 'minor' is an adjective modifying the noun 'incident'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct expression. The examples show it referring to various events deemed insignificant in their context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor incident" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to describe an event of limited significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to downplay the seriousness of a situation, often used in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "small occurrence" or "trivial event" exist, "minor incident" is widely recognized and accepted. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring that the event genuinely warrants such a description to maintain credibility. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility and prevalence in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small occurrence

Focuses on the diminutive size of the event.

trivial event

Highlights the insignificance and unimportance of the event.

slight issue

Emphasizes the reduced impact of the problem.

insignificant matter

Underscores the lack of importance of the affair.

petty affair

Highlights the lack of importance and potential annoyance of the situation.

negligible event

Focuses on the nearly nonexistent effect of the event.

small matter

Emphasizes that the subject is not a big deal.

unimportant episode

Highlights that the event has no relevance or significance.

minor setback

Focuses on the delay or obstacle caused by the event, but emphasizes its small impact.

inconsequential happening

Emphasizes that the occurrence has no important consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "minor incident" in a sentence?

You can use "minor incident" to downplay an event, as in: "The delay was due to a "minor incident" on the tracks".

What's a good alternative to "minor incident"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "small occurrence", "trivial event", or "slight issue".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "minor incident"?

It's inappropriate when the event had or could have had serious consequences. Using "minor incident" in such cases could be perceived as downplaying the severity of the situation.

Is there a difference between "minor incident" and "minor accident"?

Yes. "Minor accident" typically refers to an unintentional event that causes damage or injury, while ""minor incident"" is more general and can refer to any event of small significance.