petty minded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "petty minded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is narrow-minded or focused on trivial matters rather than more significant issues. Example: "His petty-minded attitude towards the project caused unnecessary delays and conflicts among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I can imagine these special little people in Town Hall and Macquarie Street giggling away as they pull their little regulatory levers, fudging the statistics and playing their petty little mind games in the media.

The Guardian

Mr. Burns told USA Today that he was disappointed that Mr. Olbermann, a baseball expert, "would have such a petty mind".

The New York Times - Arts

The closed systems i.e., the passions and prejudices into which petty minds shut themselves—hide the Dao, the "Supreme Master" who resides inside themselves and is superior to all distinctions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But as I watch the excitement outside the hospital in Marylebone, my petty mind keeps straying to the tiny tots at the infant schools four miles away beside my house who I know are arriving each day starving hungry.

Independent

The second thing (and I cannot stress this strongly enough) is that, despite what your petty mind and overblown ego may be telling you, it's not a good idea to run around telling everyone that you think Muppets are Communists when, in fact, you collect your paycheck from one of the most venal and dishonest propaganda machines in the history of mankind.

Huffington Post

"He was a small, bald man and as such didn't like to be seen doing small, bald things" pretty much takes care of a petty- minded editor.

The New York Times - Books

In Andrew's sad, petty, narrow little mind, he equates extreme wealth with excitement and fun, just as many of these billionaires see Andrew's royal status as proof he is interesting.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are plenty of twists and turns, including Ms. Connor's being suspended from duty for overzealousness by petty, bureaucratically minded department officials.

Forbes

Conrad relegated "Africa to the role of props for the breakup of one petty European mind," Mr. Achebe argued in his essay "An Image of Africa".

The New York Times

He is also spiteful, petty-minded and a prig.

The Guardian - Books

And they frequently engaged in petty-minded bureaucratic squabbles with rival organizations.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "petty minded", ensure the context clearly illustrates the trivial nature of the focus or behavior you are criticizing. Avoid using it in situations where genuine concerns or important details are being addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "petty minded" to dismiss genuine concerns or important details. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the focus is clearly on trivial or unimportant matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petty minded" functions as a descriptive adjective to characterize someone's disposition or behavior. It suggests a preoccupation with trivialities and a lack of generosity in thought or action. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in condemning narrow perspectives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "petty minded" is a grammatically sound and usable adjective phrase, though it's relatively rare. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to describe someone preoccupied with trivialities, often in a critical or disapproving manner. While its frequency is limited, authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times employ it. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for a range of contexts, though alternatives like ""small minded"" or "narrow minded" might offer greater precision depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small minded

Focuses on the limited scope of thought.

narrow minded

Highlights the inflexibility and resistance to new ideas.

trivial minded

Emphasizes a focus on unimportant details.

parochial minded

Suggests a limited, local perspective.

mean spirited

Indicates a tendency towards unkindness and spite.

ungenerous

Highlights a lack of magnanimity or willingness to share.

illiberal

Emphasizes intolerance of differing views.

intolerant

Focuses on the unwillingness to accept different opinions or behaviors.

provincial

Highlights a lack of sophistication and broad-mindedness.

limited in scope

Describes a restricted range of understanding or interest.

FAQs

How to use "petty minded" in a sentence?

You can use "petty minded" to describe someone focused on trivial matters. For example: "His "small minded" complaints about the office temperature distracted from the more pressing issues at hand."

What can I say instead of "petty minded"?

You can use alternatives like ""small minded"", "narrow minded", or "trivial minded" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "petty minded" or "small minded"?

Both "petty minded" and ""small minded"" are correct, but ""small minded"" is more commonly used. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "petty minded" and "narrow minded"?

"Petty minded" emphasizes a focus on trivial matters, while "narrow minded" suggests an unwillingness to consider different viewpoints or ideas.