relatively trivial

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively trivial" is a correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It means something that is not very important or significant in comparison to other things. Example: While discussing the current political climate, the candidate's gaffe at the rally was relatively trivial compared to their policy proposals and track record.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Four million is a relatively trivial expense".

The New York Times

I'll just give two relatively trivial examples.

The New York Times

When you really dig down, they're relatively trivial applications.

Columbia University

"Domestic violence has been dismissed as relatively trivial," says Stanko.

The Guardian

Young adults are capable of causing both relatively trivial and very serious harm.

Harvard University

He says the sums are relatively trivial, but warns other readers to check their bills.

The Guardian - Money

It's a relatively trivial allegation, but I'm curious to see how she'll respond.

The Guardian

"Even if it's for relatively trivial stuff, it still feels somewhat empowering".

The Guardian

It is here that a relatively trivial trickle of boat arrivals is amplified.

The Guardian

And she was alleging serious mistakes in the book yet listed only one relatively trivial one.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's beginning by a focus on relatively trivial matters.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively trivial" to indicate that an issue or detail is not as important as other factors in a given situation. It's effective for downplaying less significant aspects.

Common error

While "relatively trivial" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal documents where more precise language may be needed. Consider alternatives like "minor" or "inconsequential" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively trivial" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its degree of unimportance. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to downplay the significance of something in comparison to other factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively trivial" is a versatile adjective phrase used to denote something of minor importance compared to other elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When writing, use "relatively trivial" to downplay less significant details and focus attention on more critical aspects. Keep in mind the subtle nuance and consider alternatives like "somewhat insignificant" or "comparatively minor" for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively minor

Highlights the small scale of something when compared to something else, mirroring the comparative aspect of "relatively trivial".

somewhat insignificant

Emphasizes a lack of significance, similar to "relatively trivial" but focusing on the degree of insignificance.

not particularly important

Emphasizes a lack of importance, similar to "relatively trivial" but using common vocabulary.

moderately unimportant

Directly states the lack of importance, replacing "trivial" with a more common synonym and "relatively" with "moderately".

hardly significant

Indicates a minimal level of significance, comparable to "relatively trivial" in its downplaying of importance.

reasonably negligible

Suggests something is small enough to be disregarded, aligning with the sense of unimportance in "relatively trivial".

marginally inconsequential

Stresses the lack of consequence or impact, similar to "relatively trivial" but with a stronger emphasis.

pretty minor

Highlights that something is low significance

kind of small

Uses an informal term to suggest that something is not a big deal.

sort of insignificant

More casual synonyms to imply that something is not really important.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively trivial" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively trivial" to describe something that is not very important compared to other things. For example, "The cost was "relatively trivial" compared to the overall budget".

What are some alternatives to "relatively trivial"?

Alternatives include "somewhat insignificant", "comparatively minor", or "moderately unimportant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "relatively trivial" in formal writing?

Yes, "relatively trivial" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise or sophisticated term like "minor" or "inconsequential" might be more suitable for your audience and context.

What's the difference between "relatively trivial" and "insignificant"?

"Relatively trivial" implies a comparison, suggesting something is unimportant in relation to something else. "Insignificant", on the other hand, simply means lacking in importance without necessarily making a comparison. Thus "relatively trivial" is often about comparative assessment while "insignificant" is about absolute assessment.