so trifling

USAGE SUMMARY

"so trifling" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is insignificant or of little value. Example: "The amount of money he spent on the gift was so trifling that it hardly mattered." Alternative expressions include "so trivial," "so insignificant," and "so minor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It is, however, clearly evident that Great Britain had no specific design or plan with regard to California, when her foreign minister could promptly disavow so trifling an evidence of British activity as was Forbes's protest.

University of Chicago

A great number of the startups (a word that is beginning to lose all meaning, by the way) that I saw were aimed at solving problems so trifling that the first objective of many pitches was to alert the audience that they exist.

TechCrunch

Yet they are all so trifling and derivative.

The New York Times

But matters relating to the government of Britain's oldest university are rarely so trifling.

The Guardian

Only those persnickety pros could be distracted by something so trifling.

The New York Times - Travel

But even as she sighs, "Everything today seems so trifling," Ms. Lavin's battling dilettante cannot be dismissed as trivial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Students also need to know that we are not trifling with their time, so I did not allow students to wander too far astray if that detour wouldn't help their understanding of the model.

CBE Life Sciences Education

These suites dazzle the senses and cast out the stress; so lavish and complete they make kingdoms seem trifling.

HuffPost

The Treasury is not to be trifled with, so Congress… KEEP YOUR DAMN HANDS OFF of the Treasury"!

Columbia University

Ed McBain is not a writer to be trifled with, so before delving into his background I thought it prudent to give him his Miranda warning against self-incrimination.

The New York Times - Books

So while it's enjoyable in a lazy way, Pirate Radio feels a bit trifling.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so trifling" to downplay the importance of something, often to create a contrast with something more significant or serious. For example, "The initial cost was "so trifling" compared to the long-term benefits."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "so trifling" can sound dismissive or condescending in very formal settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "so minor" or "so insignificant" in business reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so trifling" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun or concept to emphasize its lack of significance. It serves to diminish the importance or value of whatever it describes. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe evidence, problems, announcements, and other matters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so trifling" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something as insignificant or unimportant. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral to slightly informal register. When writing, consider the context and audience to ensure it's appropriate and not overly dismissive. For more formal situations, synonyms like "so insignificant" or "so minor" may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so insignificant

Replaces "trifling" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the lack of importance.

so trivial

Similar to "insignificant", highlighting the lack of seriousness or value.

so unimportant

A straightforward substitute, directly stating the lack of importance.

so negligible

Implies the subject is so small it can be safely ignored.

so inconsequential

Highlights the lack of consequence or impact.

of such little account

More formal and emphasizes the lack of worth or consideration.

of such minor importance

Replaces "trifling" with a phrase that directly indicates the low level of importance.

hardly significant

Expresses that something barely registers as important.

scarcely matters

Highlights the lack of impact or relevance.

not worth mentioning

Suggests the subject is so small it does not merit discussion.

FAQs

What does "so trifling" mean?

The expression "so trifling" means something is of very little importance or value; it's another way of saying something is insignificant or trivial.

How can I use "so trifling" in a sentence?

You can use "so trifling" to describe something that is unimportant or has little value. For example: "The mistake was "so trifling" that no one even noticed it."

Are there synonyms for "so trifling"?

Yes, synonyms for "so trifling" include "so insignificant", "so trivial", "so unimportant", or "so negligible".

Is "so trifling" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "so trifling" might be perceived as less formal. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "so minor" or "so insignificant" in formal contexts.