minor work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a task or project that is considered to be of lesser importance or scale compared to others. Example: "The artist completed a series of minor works before embarking on her major exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

O'Hara, like Emily Dickinson, wrote a lot of minor work.

The New York Times

"Water Lilies" is a nice, watchable, attractive, minor work.

The New York Times

"The Interview" may be a minor work, but it is filled with major talents.

The New York Times

A specialist retouched some of the murals, although only minor work was required.

The New York Times

Its hesitancies make it seem a minor work cringing in the great one's shade.

The Guardian - Books

This is a minor work by Kiarostami, but well acted and made with eerily deliberate poise.

The Guardian - Film

Catherine Breillat's inert staging of the classic folk tale is, to be generous, a minor work.

Independent

Here again, a minor work by a petit-maître multiplied the high estimate six-fold.

The New York Times - Arts

Street openings are permits to tear up roadways for relatively minor work by utilities or construction companies.

The New York Times

His rise began with the Enquiry into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe (1759), a minor work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Peter Bradshaw was somewhere in the middle, giving it three stars and calling it "a diverting, minor work".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to creative outputs, such as films or books, use "minor work" to indicate that the piece is less significant within the artist's overall body of work.

Common error

Avoid using "minor work" when you actually mean that the amount of effort or time involved was small, but the consequences are large. "Minor" refers to the impact, not the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor work" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically describes a task, project, or creative endeavor that is considered to be of lesser importance or scale. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minor work" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe tasks, projects, or creative endeavors of lesser importance or scale. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used. It is frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives such as "small task" or "trivial assignment" exist, the choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. When using the term, ensure you're accurately reflecting the impact or significance, and not simply the amount of effort involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small task

Focuses on the size and simplicity of the undertaking.

trivial assignment

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance.

insignificant labor

Highlights the minimal impact or consequence of the work.

light job

Suggests the work requires little effort or exertion.

routine chore

Indicates the work is repetitive and commonplace.

lesser undertaking

Points out that the effort is minimal.

basic maintenance

Refers specifically to upkeep or repair work of a simple nature.

secondary activity

Highlights that the activity has lesser priority.

peripheral task

Indicates that the task is not central or essential.

simple repair

Focuses on uncomplicated work.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor work" to describe tasks or projects that are small in scope or importance. For example, "A specialist retouched some of the murals, although only "minor work" was required."

What is another way to say "minor work"?

Alternatives to "minor work" include "small task", "trivial assignment", or "insignificant labor", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "minor work" or "small work"?

Both "minor work" and "small work" are acceptable. However, "minor work" often implies less significance, while "small work" simply refers to the size or scale of the task.

When should I use "minor work" instead of "minor works"?

Use "minor work" when referring to a general category or type of task. Use "minor works" when referring to multiple individual instances of such tasks or multiple pieces of creative output.