most minor

USAGE SUMMARY

"most minor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's usually used to indicate that something is the least serious or important within a given set. For example, "I was surprised to find that the most minor mistake on my exam was marked wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Most minor but three deaths".

The New York Times

Most minor nosebleeds can be easily controlled at home.

The New York Times - Health

"Most minor league fans don't care about wins and losses.

The New York Times

Rather, he has an analytical mind, obsessed with the most minor detail of the most minor military operation.

Independent

Thirty-seven peonle on the train suffered injuries, most minor, according to local reports.

The Guardian

All of us were docked pay for the most minor transgressions.

The Guardian - Opinion

He appears to have been pursued for the most minor alleged violations.

The Guardian

It's probably the most minor knee surgery you can have, but it's really tough, psychologically".

The New York Times - Sports

In the short term even the most minor shocks or perturbations can generate very significant effects".

The Guardian - Business

And even the most minor characters are deftly and memorably portrayed.

The New York Times - Arts

Even the most minor setbacks, in those months, could throw Ally completely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most minor" to emphasize the insignificance or low severity of something, especially when comparing it to other, more significant issues or elements. For example: "While there were several concerns, the majority were of the "most minor" variety."

Common error

Avoid using "most minor" when describing something that, while small, still has significant consequences. While it indicates low severity, ensure it accurately reflects the actual impact. A "minor" error in a critical system can still cause substantial damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most minor" typically functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, qualifying a noun by indicating the lowest degree of significance or importance. Ludwig examples show it describing details, incidents, or offenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Huffington Post

8%

SEP

1%

Vice

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most minor" is grammatically sound and widely used to denote the least significant or severe item within a set. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is typically employed in neutral contexts, with a strong presence in news, scientific writing, and general web content. When using "most minor", ensure it accurately reflects the insignificance you intend to convey, and consider alternatives like "least significant" or "trivial" for subtle variations in meaning. Though not as authoritative, Huffington Post and Vice are also good sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least significant

Focuses on the importance rather than the size or scale.

smallest

Emphasizes the size aspect.

insignificant

Highlights the lack of importance or impact.

negligible

Suggests that something is so small it can be disregarded.

trivial

Implies a lack of seriousness or importance.

slightest

Emphasizes the minimal degree or amount.

least important

Directly addresses the level of importance.

utterly inconsequential

Expresses a complete lack of consequence or significance.

minimally important

Highlights the limited importance of something.

barely perceptible

Focuses on how difficult it is to notice or detect something.

FAQs

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

Use "most minor" to describe something that is the least significant or least severe compared to other things. For example, "The changes were mostly cosmetic, with only the "most minor" adjustments made to the engine."

What are some alternatives to "most minor"?

You can use alternatives like "least significant", "smallest", or "insignificant" depending on the context.

Is "most minor" grammatically correct?

Yes, "most minor" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to emphasize that something is the least significant or least important in a particular context.

What's the difference between "most minor" and "minor"?

"Minor" simply indicates something is small or unimportant, whereas "most minor" emphasizes that it's the smallest or least important of a group. The addition of "most" adds a comparative element.