petty subjects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "petty subjects" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to trivial or insignificant topics that are not worth much attention or consideration. Example: "In our discussion, we should avoid getting sidetracked by petty subjects that do not contribute to our main goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Thomas's monologue is a combination of sacred and fleshly imagery, with lofty biblical cadences wrestling with the nagging patterns of daily speech on petty subjects.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This must seem an absurdly trivial subject to non-golfers, but golf's unrivalled strength as a game is founded on strict and very often self-administered rules that seem petty but you tamper with them at your peril.

Independent

Most advantageous of all, the voice communicates Petty's great subject, which is strain.

The New Yorker

Subject: Petty breakin.

Huffington Post

The silence of the Queen and her immediate circle, which is an entirely proper form of mourning, has been read as evidence of a cold heart; the refusal to fly a flag at half-mast over Buckingham Palace strikes even loyal subjects as petty...and there was resentment that the short, one-mile route originally planned for the cortege would afford only a fraction of the crowd a chance to say farewell.

The New Yorker

Over the years they have been subject to petty vandalism and the shadow of the state's behemoth mining industry has always loomed large.

The Guardian - Books

Justice David H. Souter said that while the woman had been subjected to "petty humiliations," her Fourth Amendment rights had not been violated.

The New York Times

Hastily assembled by J. T. Petty after his original subject, a peeping Tom from his childhood neighborhood, declined to cooperate, this queasy glimpse into bargain-basement sleaze returns repeatedly to dingy, underlighted rooms and an appropriately seedy bar.

The New York Times

On the subject of petty crime, the scholars of Romanipen all say more or less the same thing: recognizing that a social pathology persists within a minority group is not the same thing as imagining that the social pathology is natural to the minority group.

The New Yorker

Luttrell, Petty, and Xu (2017) subjected some of those possible limitations to empirical test.

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

As a pet becomes an increasingly vital member of the family, the threat of violence to that pet becomes a strikingly powerful intimidating force for the abuser: an effective way for a petty potentate to keep the subjects of his perceived realm in his thrall.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "petty subjects" when you want to dismiss certain topics as being too trivial or unimportant to warrant serious discussion. It is suitable for situations where you need to steer the conversation toward more meaningful issues.

Common error

Avoid using "petty subjects" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Overuse can make your writing seem less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petty subjects" functions as a noun phrase where 'petty' modifies 'subjects'. It identifies topics or issues that are of little importance or significance, often used to dismiss or downplay their relevance. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "petty subjects" refers to topics of little importance and is used to steer conversations away from trivial matters. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's more commonly found in news and media contexts and less so in formal academic writing, where more precise vocabulary may be favored. Alternatives like "trivial matters" or "insignificant topics" can be used depending on the desired nuance and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trivial matters

Focuses on the insignificance of the topics at hand.

insignificant topics

Highlights the lack of importance of the subjects being discussed.

minor issues

Emphasizes the small scale and lack of consequence of the problems.

trifling matters

Uses a more formal word to denote the unimportance of the subjects.

unimportant issues

Directly states that the issues are not worthy of significant attention.

piddling concerns

Suggests that the concerns are so small as to be almost ridiculous.

frivolous subjects

Indicates that the topics are not serious and perhaps even amusingly unimportant.

inconsequential matters

Highlights the lack of impact or relevance of the topics.

slight concerns

Underscores the minimal weight or importance of the concerns.

petty details

Shifts focus to the minutiae that are insignificant.

FAQs

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

You might say, "Let's not waste time on "petty subjects"; we have more important issues to discuss".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "petty subjects"?

Alternatives include "trivial matters", "insignificant topics", or "minor issues", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "petty subjects" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, using "petty subjects" in formal academic writing might be seen as informal. Consider using more precise terms like "inconsequential matters" or "minor points".

What's the difference between "petty subjects" and "minor issues"?

"Petty subjects" generally refers to topics considered insignificant, whereas "minor issues" might refer to problems that are small in scale but still require attention.