petty matters

USAGE SUMMARY

"petty matters" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom which means small, insignificant matters that are not generally seen as important. You can use it when referring to trifling concerns, matters, or grievances. For example: "Let's try not to waste our time on petty matters and focus on more important things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

No punishment ensued.These are not petty matters.

The Economist

Political figures in Mexico do not usually trouble themselves with petty matters like lawsuits.

The Economist

The doctrinal debate began over obscure and petty matters of ritual, but larger, unarticulated issues were at stake.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These are not petty matters but mighty ones: all must obey or be subject to a penalty.

The Guardian - Opinion

All sides needed to "get past petty matters" in order to tackle the terrorism "destroying us all".

The Guardian

In them, the shooting stirred frustrations over strict, some said rude, enforcement of petty matters like leash and traffic regulations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Tolkien's wizards — both good and evil — are so focused on their cosmic tasks that sexuality seems a petty matter.

The New York Times - Arts

"If this is a grudge, it's sad that the funds that the homeowners put into the association are being wasted on such a petty matter," Mr. McDonel said.

The New York Times

As for the charge that led to Fela's imprisonment, it seems like a petty matter in which the musician was indeed innocent, but which was used by the authorities to keep him quiet.

The Guardian - Music

The odds on any of them becoming law look slim, given how hard Congress has found it to agree on pettier matters.

The Economist

Her critics assailed her for that, and for pettier matters, like the expensive clothing she wore, the amount of flying in the company jet she did and the way she put her face and name front and center in advertising and promotional efforts.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing conflicts or disagreements, try to avoid focusing on "petty matters". Instead, concentrate on the core issues to find more effective and meaningful resolutions.

Common error

Avoid getting bogged down in "petty matters" when communicating complex information. Prioritize the crucial aspects to prevent confusing or overwhelming your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petty matters" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It serves to identify and categorize certain issues or details as being of little consequence. As Ludwig AI states, it is an idiom.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "petty matters" is a noun phrase used to describe issues or details of little significance, often with a dismissive or slightly negative connotation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound and usable idiom. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to downplay the importance of specific concerns and shift focus to more critical subjects. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, its usage is generally straightforward, but remember to prioritize core issues and not get caught up in "petty matters".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

petty details

Focuses on specifics rather than general matters.

trivial issues

Replaces "matters" with "issues", emphasizing the problematic or debatable nature of the insignificant things.

minor details

Highlights that the details aren't relevant.

unimportant issues

Highlights that the issues aren't relevant.

insignificant details

Focuses on the lack of importance of the specific elements or components.

minor concerns

Emphasizes the worries or anxieties that are small and unimportant.

small potatoes

An idiomatic expression that diminishes the importance of the subject at hand.

frivolous affairs

Highlights the lack of seriousness and practical value of the concerns.

trifling concerns

Replaces with a less common but similar synonym, "trifling".

inconsequential affairs

Uses a formal word to denote lack of significance.

FAQs

How can I use "petty matters" in a sentence?

"Petty matters" are typically used to describe issues or concerns that are insignificant and not worth significant attention. For example, "Let's not waste time on "petty matters"; we have more important things to discuss."

What's a good alternative to "petty matters"?

Alternatives include "trivial issues", "insignificant details", or "minor concerns", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "petty matters" or "small matters"?

While both phrases are similar, "petty matters" implies a sense of triviality or unimportance in a negative way, suggesting these matters are annoying or a waste of time. "Small matters" is more neutral.

How does the tone of "petty matters" differ from "inconsequential details"?

"Petty matters" often carries a tone of annoyance or disdain, suggesting the issues are bothersome and not worth attention. "Inconsequential details", on the other hand, is more neutral and simply points out that the details lack importance.