something minor

USAGE SUMMARY

"something minor" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you are trying to describe something that is not significant or important. For example, "The issue was something minor and easily resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It was something minor.

The Guardian

Instead, something minor caught her attention.

The New York Times

"But it was always something minor.

The New York Times

Or even something minor, like the presidential primaries?

The New York Times

This would protect someone from a catastrophic accident but not something minor.

The New York Times

He was always saying that, whenever anyone got frazzled over something minor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He had never mentioned it, and perhaps it was something too minor for him to have been aware of.

The New York Times

These disturbances broke out at the drop of a hat, often sparked by something as minor as a misunderstanding.

The New York Times

I thought the police would laugh at me for reporting something so minor, but they took it very seriously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm not talking about infidelity, it could be something very minor, like you forget a gift for an anniversary.

The New York Times - Sports

You could halt on something relatively minor, your attention grabbed, and just as in life, stop there a while.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "something minor", ensure the context clearly establishes the lack of significant impact to avoid downplaying potentially important issues. For instance, "The delay was due to something minor like a software glitch, so we're back on schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "something minor" to describe situations where the consequences are more significant than implied. For example, describing a data breach affecting thousands of users as "something minor" would be inappropriate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something minor" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object to describe an event, issue, or detail of little importance. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used to downplay concerns or explain small setbacks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "something minor" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe issues or events of little significance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in various contexts. It is prevalent in news and media, wiki articles, and to a lesser extent, scientific and formal business communications. While its straightforwardness makes it broadly applicable, it’s essential to ensure that the term accurately reflects the gravity of the situation to avoid misleading or minimizing important concerns. Alternatives such as "a trivial matter" or "a slight problem" can be used to add nuance, though "something minor" remains a versatile choice for conveying insignificance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small issue

Highlights the limited scale and impact of the problem.

a slight problem

Underscores the minimal difficulty or trouble caused by the issue.

a trivial matter

Emphasizes insignificance, focusing on the lack of importance of the issue.

a light concern

Highlights the limited weight or seriousness of the worry.

an insignificant detail

Draws attention to the lack of importance in the context of larger concerns.

a petty issue

Focuses on the small-minded or mean nature of the concern.

a negligible concern

Stresses the limited worry or apprehension the issue provokes.

a trifling matter

Indicates the issue is so unimportant as to be almost laughable.

a mere detail

Highlights how the item is nothing more than just a single element and therefore is unimportant

a non-issue

Suggests that the alleged problem is not a real problem at all.

FAQs

How can I use "something minor" in a sentence?

You can use "something minor" to describe issues, events, or details of little consequence. For example, "The project's setback was due to "something minor", a temporary power outage".

What are some alternatives to "something minor"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a trivial matter", "a small issue", or "an insignificant detail" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "something minor" in formal writing?

While "something minor" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "a negligible concern" or "a trifling matter" in professional or academic contexts for added precision.

When should I avoid using the phrase "something minor"?

Avoid using "something minor" when the situation has significant impacts or consequences, as it can minimize or trivialize the issue. Ensure your language accurately reflects the gravity of the situation.