somewhat trivial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat trivial" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is unimportant or not significant in a minor way. Example: "Although the characters in this book are well-developed, the plot itself is somewhat trivial." This suggests that while the characters are well-written, the story itself may not be very important or impactful.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

What's the Nash equilibrium of this somewhat trivial sub-game?

Yale University

So, a little tidbit of knowledge for you that's somewhat trivial.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So the last sub-game here is a somewhat trivial sub-game.

Yale University

The Nash equilibrium of this somewhat trivial sub-game is that Player 1 must choose down.

Yale University

This may seem somewhat trivial, but, as statisticians know, it's not.

Harvard Business Review

On one level, Nash's contribution to game theory was highly mathematical, and, ultimately, somewhat trivial.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

That was pretty trivial.

Yale University

Pretty trivial stuff.

The Guardian

A somewhat less trivial explanation for a high proportion of non-essential genes is that they may be present in multiple copies, and therefore deletion of only one of these copies causes very small effect.

Biology Direct

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

The Guardian

He has also displayed a worrying, somewhat Clintonian slipperiness on difficult issues, both trivial (whether he would wear a flag-pin) and significant (whether he would talk to rogue states).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat trivial", consider the context to ensure that you are not unintentionally downplaying something that may be important to someone else. Acknowledge its potential value before dismissing it as "somewhat trivial" to soften the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat trivial" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can come across as dismissive. Instead, opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey the level of significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat trivial" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a degree of unimportance or insignificance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and commonly used expression to downplay the significance of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

33%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat trivial" is a common adjective phrase used to indicate that something is not particularly important or significant. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is considered correct and appears across various contexts, including academia, news, and science. While it's generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of the tone it conveys, especially in formal settings, where more precise language might be preferred. Alternatives such as "relatively insignificant" or "fairly unimportant" can offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively trivial

Indicates that something is less important when compared to something else.

relatively insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance in relation to a broader context.

fairly unimportant

Highlights that something lacks significance or consequence.

marginally inconsequential

Suggests a slight lack of importance or relevance.

slightly negligible

Implies that something is so small or unimportant that it can be disregarded.

kind of minor

Indicates something is of lesser importance or size in a casual tone.

somewhat negligible

Similar to 'slightly negligible', indicating a small degree of insignificance.

pretty trivial

Informal way of saying that something is not important.

rather unimportant

Emphasizes the lack of importance in a more formal way.

a bit insignificant

Highlights a small degree of unimportance.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat trivial" to describe something that is not very important or significant. For example, "The details of the contract are important, but some clauses are "somewhat trivial"".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat trivial"?

Alternatives to "somewhat trivial" include "relatively insignificant", "fairly unimportant", or "marginally inconsequential", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "somewhat trivial" is generally acceptable, it may be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using a more precise term, such as "relatively minor" or "somewhat insignificant", for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "somewhat trivial" and "completely trivial"?

"Somewhat trivial" suggests that something has a small degree of unimportance, while "completely trivial" indicates that something is entirely unimportant and without value. The former allows for a slight degree of relevance, whereas the latter dismisses it entirely.