minor pursuits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor pursuits" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to activities or interests that are not of great importance or significance. Example: "In her free time, she enjoys various minor pursuits like gardening and painting." Alternative expressions include "trivial activities," "lesser interests," and "insignificant endeavors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A tennis crowd is still not the same as a soccer crowd in Serbia, even if the Serbians — who once considered tennis a minor sporting pursuit — are increasingly proud of becoming a tennis superpower.

The New York Times - Sports

As for ethical standards, in general, the media have made an effort to observe ethical norms and not to violate children's rights, however, there were some cases when media failed to meet the standards – disclosed identity of accused minors, in pursuit of sensation unethically reported cases of suicide committed by teenagers.

UNICEF

A police chase that caused the death of a 4-year-old girl in June prompted the Los Angeles Police Department today to propose a ban on pursuits for minor traffic infractions.

The New York Times

Roy, the narrator, is superrich (also through inheritance), assiduously fit, and disciplined at one minor and one major pursuit.

The New York Times - Books

Initially based on a 1982 article by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, the broken-windows theory of police enforcement holds, in rough terms, that aggressive pursuit of minor crimes will lead to a reduction of major crimes.

The New Yorker

The completed paper will normally emerge from coursework done in pursuit of the minor field, typically in one of the four following fields outlined above (Computer Music, Ethnomusicology, Music History, Music Theory).

University of Chicago

But it's still unclear why he would drive off from a minor fender bender, sparking the pursuit that ended in an also unexplained hail of gunfire.

The Washington Post

The quintet split, again under Roche's impulsion, while behind Moscon and Nordhaug set off in pursuit of the minor placings.

The Guardian - Sport

So Republicans are wasting limited political capital and energy in pursuit of a minor issue, at a time when Paul Ryan's budget has no chance to pass.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a wonderful scene in which Steve — who had previously been a slightly grotesque figure formed by superimposing Mr. Evans's chiseled face onto the frame of a puny body double — tries out his new body in a shirtless pursuit of some minor bad guys.

The New York Times

Emmy's daughter Elisabeth fought her way through university to become a lawyer, then escaped Vienna to study further before a marriage to a Dutch businessman; son Iggie, in pursuit of a minor talent for couture, and a major discovery about his sexuality, slipped away to Paris, then America.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor pursuits", ensure the context clearly establishes that these activities are secondary or less important than the main focus. This avoids any ambiguity about their significance.

Common error

Avoid using "minor pursuits" when describing activities that are central to someone's identity or career. It can diminish the perceived value of those activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor pursuits" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "pursuits". It generally refers to activities or interests that are not primary or central to an individual's life or focus. Ludwig's analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor pursuits" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe activities of secondary importance. As determined by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts. It's most often found in news, academic and scientific writing. When using "minor pursuits", consider whether "secondary interests" or "small-scale activities" might be more contextually appropriate. Be mindful of overstating the significance of the described activities. It's an appropriate phrase overall, but rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary interests

Replaces "pursuits" with "interests", emphasizing the aspect of personal interest rather than active engagement.

small-scale activities

Focuses on the size and scope of the activities, implying they are not major undertakings.

less significant endeavors

Substitutes "pursuits" with "endeavors" and uses "less significant" to highlight the reduced importance.

insignificant pastimes

Replaces "pursuits" with "pastimes", suggesting a recreational and unimportant nature.

trivial occupations

Emphasizes the lack of importance and seriousness of the activities.

minor hobbies

Specifically refers to hobbies that are not the main focus of one's leisure time.

subsidiary occupations

Implies that the occupations are secondary to primary professional or personal activities.

unimportant engagements

Highlights the lack of importance in the commitments or activities.

ancillary activities

Stresses that the activities are supplementary and not central to one's main goals.

peripheral interests

Indicates that the interests are on the edge or not at the center of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor pursuits" to describe hobbies or activities that are not central to a person's life. For example, "In addition to her demanding job, she enjoys several "minor pursuits" such as gardening and painting."

What are some alternatives to "minor pursuits"?

Alternatives include "secondary interests", "small-scale activities", or "less significant endeavors" depending on the context.

Is "minor pursuits" formal or informal?

"Minor pursuits" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "ancillary activities".

What is the difference between "minor pursuits" and "major pursuits"?

"Minor pursuits" refers to activities of lesser importance or significance, while "major pursuits" denotes activities that are central to one's goals or identity.