one minor thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"one minor thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to small details that are not particularly important or significant. For example, "I was ready to sign the contract, but there was one minor thing that held me back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It was an innocent evolution, where he helped with one minor thing, then one more on top of that, and all of the sudden, everyone thought he was a federal agent," Mr. Schwartz said.

The New York Times

I like to ponder what other extremely disparate groups with only one, minor thing in common are so herded together these days.

The Guardian

There is still one minor thing missing: the ability to manage the "Other Bookmarks" area.

TechCrunch

This is to address one minor thing in the article, where it talks about "Kaufman's longtime partner-in-crime," as the article puts it, Bob Zmuda.

Huffington Post

Sinatra: There is just one minor thing to add.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Oh, and one more minor thing: Kullervo is seething at her last escape and will seem to stop at nothing to get at her..

The Guardian

This is a minor thing, but one I couldn't help but wonder about.

Huffington Post

Take a one-on-one thing.

WikiHow

It is a minor thing in a major life, but one word I will always associate with Richard Holbrooke, who died on Monday, is slivovitz.

The New Yorker

"It's a minor thing," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

"One minor repair," he noted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one minor thing" to introduce a detail that contrasts with a larger, more significant issue or discussion.

Common error

Avoid drawing too much attention to "one minor thing" if it risks overshadowing more crucial aspects of your message. Keep it brief and maintain focus on the primary subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one minor thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. As shown in Ludwig AI's examples, it introduces a detail of lesser importance within a broader context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one minor thing" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for denoting a small, relatively unimportant detail. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds use across diverse contexts, notably in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure that you are in fact referring to an element of secondary importance to maintain clarity and focus in your writing. Alternatives such as "a small detail" or "a trivial point" offer similar connotations. Use "one minor thing" judiciously to effectively convey nuance without causing distraction from the primary subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small detail

Uses "small detail" instead of "minor thing", focusing on the size or scope.

a small matter

Uses "small matter" instead of "minor thing", emphasizing the lack of significance.

a trivial detail

Replaces "minor thing" with "trivial detail", emphasizing insignificance.

an insignificant detail

Substitutes "minor thing" with "insignificant detail", highlighting the lack of importance.

a negligible point

Emphasizes the unimportance by using "negligible point".

a slight issue

Replaces "minor thing" with "slight issue", framing it as a problem of little consequence.

a petty matter

Replaces "minor thing" with "petty matter", conveying triviality.

a little hitch

Replaces "minor thing" with "little hitch", conveying a slight disruption.

a non-essential element

Highlights that it is not required or fundamental.

a technicality

Frames the minor thing as a formal or procedural detail.

FAQs

How can I use "one minor thing" in a sentence?

You can use "one minor thing" to introduce a small detail or issue that is less important than the main subject. For example, "The presentation was excellent; there was "one minor thing" I would change."

What are some alternatives to "one minor thing"?

Some alternatives to "one minor thing" include "a small detail", "a slight issue", or "a trivial detail". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "one minor thing"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. In highly formal or technical writing, a more precise term might be preferred. Otherwise, "one minor thing" is suitable for most situations.

What's the difference between "one minor thing" and "one major thing"?

"One minor thing" refers to a small or insignificant detail, while "one major thing" points to something significant or critical. They are opposites and should be used accordingly to reflect the actual importance of the item.