not too serious

USAGE SUMMARY

"not too serious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something is not very serious or severe. For example, "The situation wasn't too serious, so we decided to wait until the morning to try to fix it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not too serious.

The New York Times - Sports

"Hopefully it's not too serious.

The Guardian - Sport

Thankfully it's not too serious.

The Guardian - Sport

Here's hoping it's not too serious.

The Guardian - Sport

Simple can be small -- and not too serious.

The New York Times

I feel this is something that is not too serious".

The New York Times - Sports

David Moyes, the Manchester United manager, said the injury was "not too serious".

Independent

I hope it is not too serious, we will see," said Klopp.

Independent

"It's not too serious and I don't expect it to keep him out for too long.

Independent

They may merely reflect a slowdown, perhaps not too serious a one.

Independent

"Luckily it cleared up and in the end was not too serious".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potentially sensitive situations such as injuries or setbacks, use "not too serious" to offer reassurance without downplaying the situation entirely.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse of "not too serious" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language like "relatively minor" or "of limited consequence" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too serious" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its level of severity. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is acceptable and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not too serious" is a common and acceptable way to describe situations that are not severe or concerning. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific and formal communications. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "relatively minor" or "of little consequence". When using "not too serious", be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not extremely serious

Replaces "too" with "extremely" to amplify slightly the lack of seriousness.

not very serious

Substitutes "too" with "very" to offer a common alternative with almost identical meaning.

not so serious

Uses "so" instead of "too" as a simple synonym indicating a similar level of insignificance.

not overly serious

Replaces "too" with "overly", suggesting the issue isn't excessively grave.

not particularly serious

Emphasizes that something lacks specific or notable seriousness.

relatively minor

Indicates the subject in question is on the smaller side in terms of importance or impact.

of little consequence

Highlights that something has minimal importance or effect.

nothing to worry about

Reassures that the situation does not warrant concern.

not a big deal

Informally communicates that an issue is not significant.

no cause for alarm

States there's no reason to be worried or frightened.

FAQs

What does "not too serious" mean?

The phrase "not too serious" indicates that a situation, problem, or event is not severe or concerning. It implies a lack of significant negative consequences or impact.

How can I use "not too serious" in a sentence?

You can use "not too serious" to describe injuries, mistakes, or issues that are manageable and unlikely to cause major problems. For example, "The doctor said my sprain was "not too serious" and would heal with rest."

What are some alternatives to "not too serious"?

Alternatives include "relatively minor", "of little consequence", or "nothing to worry about", depending on the specific context and level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "not too serious" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "not too serious" may be considered too informal for some formal contexts. In such cases, consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "relatively minor" or "of limited consequence".