mundane things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mundane things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to ordinary, everyday items or activities that are not particularly interesting or exciting. Example: "While some people seek adventure, I find joy in the mundane things, like sipping coffee and reading a book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We discussed mundane things".

The New Yorker

"Mundane things, like a vacuum cleaner.

The New York Times

But more mundane things drive them, too.

The Economist

"Crime-scene photographs contextualise mundane things, giving those mundane things overwhelming and sinister importance.

Independent

They want "very concrete and mundane things," she said.

The New York Times

They might not want to talk about such mundane things.

The New York Times

This sorrow could be sparked by surprisingly mundane things.

Yale University

Pirate DJs had more mundane things on the agenda.

The Guardian

While I wrote mundane things like "My name is......

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Having to deal with things part of the time — even the 'mundane' things of daily life?

SEP

"Mundane things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting extraordinary events or feelings, use "mundane things" to create a sense of normalcy and balance. This highlights the significance of the extraordinary by juxtaposing it with the ordinary.

Common error

Avoid using "mundane things" when describing highly emotional or dramatic situations. While it can create contrast, overuse can trivialize the intensity of the moment. Choose more specific language that reflects the gravity of the situation instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mundane things" typically functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As per Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mundane things" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for referring to ordinary, everyday aspects of life. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it appears most commonly in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While alternatives like "ordinary matters" or "commonplace items" exist, "mundane things" offers a direct and widely understood way to describe the unexciting elements of daily existence. Using "mundane things" effectively involves balancing its descriptive power with awareness of its potential to trivialize more sensitive subjects. Overall, it's a versatile phrase when applied thoughtfully in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary matters

Replaces "things" with "matters", emphasizing the subject under discussion rather than specific objects.

commonplace items

Substitutes "mundane" with "commonplace" and "things" with "items", focusing on frequently encountered objects.

everyday concerns

Replaces "mundane" with "everyday" and "things" with "concerns", highlighting routine worries or issues.

routine activities

Substitutes "mundane" with "routine" and "things" with "activities", focusing on regularly performed tasks.

trivial details

Replaces "mundane" with "trivial" and "things" with "details", emphasizing the unimportance of the matters.

banal aspects

Substitutes "mundane" with "banal" and "things" with "aspects", focusing on the boring or unoriginal facets.

unremarkable occurrences

Replaces "mundane" with "unremarkable" and "things" with "occurrences", highlighting the lack of special qualities in events.

typical events

Replaces "mundane" with "typical" and "things" with "events", focusing on expected and standard occurrences.

daily grind

This idiomatic phrase encapsulates the monotony and routine of everyday life, replacing "mundane things" with a more figurative expression.

pedestrian affairs

Substitutes "mundane" with "pedestrian" and "things" with "affairs", describing ordinary or unimaginative matters.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "mundane things" into my writing to make it more relatable?

To make your writing more relatable, use "mundane things" to illustrate universal experiences. For example, instead of saying "life is hard", you might say "even "mundane chores" can feel overwhelming when you're stressed".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "mundane things"?

You can use alternatives like "ordinary matters", "commonplace items", or "everyday concerns" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "mundane things" in formal writing?

While "mundane things" is generally acceptable, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In highly formal contexts, more precise or sophisticated language may be more appropriate. For example, you can consider "trivial details" instead.

How does the use of "mundane things" affect the tone of a sentence?

Using "mundane things" tends to create a tone of realism and can evoke feelings of familiarity or even boredom. It can also be used to highlight the beauty or significance found in everyday life.