on minor issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on minor issues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing topics or concerns that are not significant or critical in nature. Example: "The meeting focused primarily on minor issues that could be addressed quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

During weekly meetings, people interrupted one another and too much time was spent on minor issues, he said.

The New York Times

One step forward on minor issues and two steps back on major ones does not a fierce advocate make.

Huffington Post

Whole days passed in flatulent debate on minor issues.

The Economist

"But it's hard to get them motivated to roll up their sleeves on minor issues".

The New York Times

But it appeared tonight to be as good as a done deal, with only "the bridging of small gaps on minor issues" remaining, according to the statement.

The New York Times

Before his speech, the conservative head of Iran's judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, urged him "to not use force … on minor issues".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Representatives of the players and owners moved close to final agreement on a package of minor issues, and the negotiators returned to a discussion of the major issues of revenue sharing and payroll tax.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Lauffer, the Newhall spokeswoman, said that "we think, based on our initial review, that we can resolve these issues over the next year," adding that the ruling seemed to turn on "relatively minor issues that the judge has requested additional analysis on".

The New York Times

At the time of the accident, the elevator had failed its last six-month inspection on Oct. 3, 2007, though for minor issues.

The New York Times

During their stay on the island, the group assisted 163 people, mostly for minor issues.

Wikipedia

Colts center Jeff Saturday said the sides had made progress on some minor issues, but he also crystallized one of the central player complaints when he said he met privately with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday night after negotiations ended to make sure Goodell knew where players stood.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before using "on minor issues" try to use more specific terms, like "regarding trivial matters" or "concerning insignificant details".

Common error

Avoid dwelling excessively on "on minor issues" to the point where they overshadow more critical aspects of a situation. Maintain a balanced perspective to prevent misrepresenting priorities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on minor issues" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It serves to specify the scope or focus of a discussion, disagreement, or analysis, indicating that it pertains to matters of lesser importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on minor issues" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively highlights a focus on less significant matters. Predominantly found in News & Media and scientific contexts, it serves to downplay the importance of certain topics or to criticize an overemphasis on trivial details. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear contrast with more critical concerns and avoid letting these "on minor issues" overshadow primary objectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding trivial matters

Focuses more specifically on the insignificance of the issues.

concerning insignificant details

Highlights the lack of importance of the details being discussed.

about inconsequential matters

Emphasizes the lack of consequence associated with the issues.

in relation to petty concerns

Suggests that the concerns are small and possibly irritating.

with respect to negligible points

Formal and stresses the almost nonexistent impact of the points.

over trifling subjects

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness of the subjects.

around immaterial questions

Indicates that the questions are irrelevant or unimportant.

on secondary matters

Highlights the lower importance compared to other, primary concerns.

concerning less significant items

Highlights the diminished relevance or importance of the topics.

regarding subordinate elements

Formal and emphasizes the lesser role of the elements in a larger context.

FAQs

How can I use "on minor issues" in a sentence?

You can use "on minor issues" to indicate that a discussion or disagreement revolves around small, relatively unimportant details. For example: "The committee spent too much time debating "on minor issues" instead of addressing the core problems."

What are some alternatives to "on minor issues"?

Some alternatives include "regarding trivial matters", "concerning insignificant details", or "about inconsequential matters". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to focus on major or minor issues in negotiations?

It's generally more effective to prioritize major issues in negotiations to achieve significant progress. Addressing "on minor issues" can be useful for building rapport or resolving smaller disagreements, but the primary focus should be on the critical aspects of the negotiation.

What's the difference between "on minor issues" and "on major issues"?

"On minor issues" refers to discussions or disputes about small, relatively unimportant details, while "on major issues" concerns the primary, critical aspects of a situation. The distinction highlights the scale and significance of the matters being addressed.