not very serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, attitude, or behavior that lacks gravity or importance. Example: "The meeting was not very serious, as everyone was joking and laughing throughout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's... it's not very serious.

The New Yorker

"I'm not very serious off the golf course.

The New York Times - Sports

In the past, white-coat hypertension was often dismissed as not very serious.

The New York Times

"We had a quarrel, but it was not very serious," Mr. Wahab said.

The New York Times

I was considered a not very serious actor but I was intensely serious.

The Guardian

He is not very serious about art or politics, or even life".

The New Yorker

Mr. Torricelli said his mistakes were unintentional and not very serious in the scheme of things.

The New York Times

"All this is part of a movie script, but not very serious," he insisted.

The New Yorker

Patients often have undifferentiated complaints that can represent an uncommon serious disorder or a common but not very serious disorder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has a stillness and intensity that makes A Serious Man seem not very serious at all.

The Guardian - Arts

In a recent poll, only 8% of respondents thought the problem "not very serious", while 63% thought it "very" or "extremely" serious.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "not very serious" with a contrasting statement that provides additional information. For example: "The injury is not very serious, but it will require rest."

Common error

Avoid using "not very serious" when the situation actually requires immediate or significant attention. Ensure your assessment of the situation aligns with the actual level of potential risk or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very serious" functions as an adjectival phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something lacks gravity or importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very serious" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase that serves to minimize the importance or severity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternatives include "somewhat trivial" and "relatively minor", offering similar nuances. When using this phrase, ensure that your assessment of the situation aligns with the actual potential risk to avoid misrepresenting its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat trivial

Indicates a slightly lower degree of importance; less weighty.

not particularly grave

Focuses on the absence of severity or danger.

relatively minor

Highlights the limited impact or consequence.

hardly significant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

of little consequence

Stresses the minimal impact or result.

not a big deal

An informal way to convey a lack of concern or importance.

no cause for alarm

Suggests that there is no reason to be worried or concerned.

nothing to worry about

Reassures that the situation is not concerning.

not worth stressing over

Indicates that the issue is not important enough to cause anxiety.

a mere trifle

Implies the matter is insignificant or of little value.

FAQs

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

You can use "not very serious" to describe situations, injuries, or concerns that are not particularly severe. For example, "The argument was "not very serious", and they reconciled quickly."

What are some alternatives to saying "not very serious"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat trivial", "relatively minor", or "hardly significant".

Is it correct to say "not too serious" instead of "not very serious"?

Yes, "not too serious" is a perfectly acceptable alternative and conveys a similar meaning to "not very serious".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "not very serious"?

It's inappropriate to use "not very serious" when describing situations that clearly require urgent attention or have significant consequences. Make sure your assessment aligns with reality.