such a petty

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a petty" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to describe something that is unimportant or trivial. For example, "I don't understand why we are arguing about such a petty issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's a shame that such a petty case could have such powerful force".

The New York Times

The shame of it all, and for such a petty offense.

The New York Times

Mr. Burns told USA Today that he was disappointed that Mr. Olbermann, a baseball expert, "would have such a petty mind".

The New York Times - Arts

"If this is a grudge, it's sad that the funds that the homeowners put into the association are being wasted on such a petty matter," Mr. McDonel said.

The New York Times

To give up all that history, for such a petty, self-serving, island-dweller's dream.

Vice

First, it's absolutely shameless that an American President would use a speech in front of a foreign government to launch such a petty political attack.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Ah, poor Roger Greenberg, poor Florence Marr: they are attracted to each other, they enjoy each other's company, and yet they pursue such a petty-bourgeois consolation as a relationship.

The New Yorker

He was a deservedly best-selling historian ("D-Day," "Band of Brothers"), the prolific author of books on Lewis and Clark, George A. Custer, the transcontinental railroad, the Civil War, biographer of Eisenhower and Nixon: Why did the gentleman need to stoop to such a pitiful petty lie?

The New York Times

One former carer I spoke to had to pay 20p each time she made a cup of tea in the staff room – such a basic, petty "up yours" to an increasingly young workforce, it would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.

Vice

Sure enough, a zinc factory was operating nearby.For those who cannot get such regular jobs, a petty business is the next best thing.

The Economist

Historians have recently speculated that the reason Henry became such a cruel and petty tyrant is that jousting injuries brought about a change in his personality.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a petty" to downplay the significance of a matter, indicating it's too minor to warrant serious attention. Ensure the context aligns with this intention.

Common error

While "such a petty" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "insignificant" or "trivial" to maintain a refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a petty" functions as an adjectival modifier to describe a noun, emphasizing its insignificance or lack of importance. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts where something is being dismissed as trivial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "such a petty" is a grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the insignificance of a noun. While not overly formal, it is deemed correct and usable by Ludwig. It's found most frequently in news and media contexts, and less frequently in scientific or highly formal settings. When using it, be mindful to not overuse it, and, also be careful if the formality of the context. If it is a formal context, more professional alternatives like "insignificant" or "trivial" could be used. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its versatility across various topics, emphasizing that it is a common part of speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such a trivial matter

Adds the noun "matter" to highlight the unimportance of the issue.

such a small thing

Uses a common idiom to convey the lack of significance.

that unimportant

Directly states the lack of importance, making it a straightforward substitute.

so insignificant

Replaces "such a petty" with a simpler adjective emphasizing lack of importance.

so minor

Emphasizes the small scale or degree of the issue being described.

that trivial

Uses "trivial" to convey the minimal importance of something, similar to "petty".

so negligible

Highlights that the issue is so small that it's almost not worth considering.

so trifling

Uses a less common word, "trifling", to suggest insignificance or frivolousness.

that inconsiderable

A more formal way of expressing that something is not worth considering.

that piddling

Replaces with "piddling", indicating something is ridiculously small or unimportant.

FAQs

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

You can use "such a petty" to describe something unimportant. For example, "It's a shame that "such a petty case" could have such powerful force".

What are some alternatives to "such a petty"?

Alternatives include "so insignificant", "that trivial", or "so minor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "such a petty" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "such a petty" might sound too informal in some contexts. Consider using more elevated vocabulary like "insignificant" or "trivial" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "such a petty" and "a minor"?

"Such a petty" emphasizes the insignificance or triviality of something. "A minor" simply indicates that something is small or less important, without necessarily implying that it's trivial.