petty remarks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "petty remarks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe comments or statements that are trivial, insignificant, or of little importance, often implying a sense of annoyance or disdain. Example: "During the meeting, she made several petty remarks that detracted from the main discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is McChrystal's greatest disservice to his Commander in Chief, much more serious than the personal affront of his petty remarks about the President's war team.

Huffington Post

Rise above their petty remarks and be a genuine and universally friendly person in return.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

You call a past love to chat or meet up, or to apologize for a petty remark that ballooned into a fight, and he responds with silence, leaving you to anxiously check your phone approximately once every 2.5 minutes.

Huffington Post

A clown called Ben Wallace said that the thing that really undermined security was [Labour's] "petty point-scoring", a remark so ludicrous that it caused some opposition MPs to hyperventilate noisily from a combination of rage and mirth.

The Guardian

He also ripped into comments made by Clinton surrogates hinting at Obama's past drug use, calling the remarks "negative in the worst, petty way," especially in the light of Bill Clinton's admitted use of marijuana.

Huffington Post

King said he did not know the full context of Akin's remarks, but characterized the criticism as "petty, personal attacks".

Huffington Post

As Mr. Adams tells it, his complaint arose out of a petty incident: His co-workers liked to make crude remarks about the customers behind their backs.

The New York Times

A man of his word, offending breath is one of the petty problems on the menu tonight with McIntyre incredulously remarking: "There's no such thing as afternoon breath?" before moving on to the equally perilous overnight sensation, that of dead arms and the obstacle they present in chasing off burglars.

Independent

Despite how petty and attention-seeking Meek Mill has taken their "beef", his remarks about Drake having a potential ghostwriter were somewhat validated in the leaked Quentin Miller tracks.

Huffington Post

He later apologizes for the remark, and Amaechi comments: "It is ridiculous, absurd, petty, bigoted and shows a lack of empathy that is gargantuan and unfathomable.

The New York Times

In one video clip, Arnold Palmer browbeats a fellow golfer into hustling to the tee box by sarcastically saying, "While we're young!" The unintended result of the snide remark, however, is that Palmer comes off as petty and small-minded.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "petty remarks", consider the context and whether a more specific term might be more appropriate to convey the precise nuance you intend. For instance, "slighting comments" might be better if the intent is to emphasize the disrespectful nature of the remarks.

Common error

Avoid overusing the phrase "petty remarks" in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "trivial comments" or "insignificant observations" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petty remarks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "petty" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "remarks". It serves to describe the type of remarks being made, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "petty remarks" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing trivial or insignificant comments. Ludwig indicates that it’s correct and provides examples from reputable sources. While the frequency is uncommon, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives like "trivial comments" or "insignificant observations" can be used for variety or to adjust the tone for more formal settings. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trivial comments

Focuses on the lack of importance or significance of the comments.

insignificant observations

Emphasizes the lack of consequence or impact of the observations.

minor criticisms

Highlights the critical nature of the remarks, but on a small scale.

slighting comments

Focuses on the insulting or disrespectful nature of the comments.

unkind words

Highlights the lack of compassion or empathy in the remarks.

small-minded statements

Emphasizes the narrow perspective or limited thinking behind the statements.

inconsequential quips

Implies the remarks are witty but ultimately unimportant.

shallow pronouncements

Highlights the lack of depth or substance in the pronouncements.

frivolous banter

Suggests the remarks are lighthearted and not meant to be taken seriously.

nitpicking observations

Highlights that remarks are based on noticing and criticizing small details.

FAQs

What does "petty remarks" mean?

The term "petty remarks" refers to comments or statements that are trivial, insignificant, or small-minded, often implying a sense of annoyance or disdain. They usually focus on unimportant details or grievances.

What can I say instead of "petty remarks"?

You can use alternatives like "trivial comments", "insignificant observations", or "minor criticisms" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "petty remarks" in formal writing?

While "petty remarks" is grammatically correct, its somewhat negative connotation might make it less suitable for highly formal contexts. In such cases, consider using a more neutral term like "minor comments" or "trivial observations".

How do I identify "petty remarks" in a conversation?

Look for comments that focus on unimportant details, express minor grievances, or are clearly intended to belittle or annoy someone without addressing any significant issue. If the remark seems unnecessarily critical or focused on insignificant flaws, it's likely a "petty remark".