trifling difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trifling difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or insignificant difference between two things. Example: "The two proposals had a trifling difference in cost, making it difficult to choose one over the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There would, of course, be a trifling difference: the price of oil would be 400% higher and the oil-producing countries would be a lot better off.

The Economist

"But even a trifling difference multiplied a million times is big," he says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the abstract, this difference seems trifling.

The Guardian - Sport

The difference may sound trifling.

The Economist

The deal would make a dramatic difference to HSBC's presence in Africa, which is currently trifling.

Forbes

Under the experiment conditions, the difference in phenanthrene apparent solubility between 4°C and 25°C was trifling.

BMC Plant Biology

When we compared the group with the highest number of negative evaluations negative evaluations (N = 8) with the rest of the sample, the first group had significantly higher scores on the PEH-scales (except hope) whereas the differences on the clinical scales (HoNOS and GAF) were trifling.

BMC Health Services Research

They are trifling….

The New Yorker

Nothing here is trifling.

The New York Times

By itself, the offence seems trifling.

The Economist

It was simply ugly and trifling.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "trifling difference", ensure the context clearly indicates that the difference is indeed small and unimportant to the overall discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "trifling difference" when the actual difference has significant implications. This can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trifling difference" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun. It indicates that a particular difference is small, unimportant, or negligible. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trifling difference" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English used to describe a small, insignificant distinction between two things. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts. While the phrase itself is clear, it's important to ensure that the context supports the claim that the difference is indeed minor to avoid misleading the audience. Alternatives like "negligible variation" or "insignificant disparity" can be used for variety. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity and provides several examples of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsequential difference

Directly states that the difference has no real importance or effect.

negligible variation

Replaces "trifling difference" with synonyms, emphasizing the unimportance of the variation.

insignificant disparity

Uses "insignificant" and "disparity" to convey a similar meaning of a small difference.

paltry difference

Replaces "trifling" with "paltry", suggesting that the difference is trivial or worthless.

minor distinction

Substitutes "trifling" with "minor" and "difference" with "distinction", keeping the core meaning.

slight divergence

Emphasizes a small deviation or departure rather than a difference.

marginal contrast

Highlights the minimal level of contrast between two things.

small discrepancy

Focuses on a minor inconsistency or lack of agreement.

minute variation

Uses "minute" to stress the extremely small size of the variation.

subtle distinction

Indicates that the difference is not immediately obvious and requires careful observation.

FAQs

How to use "trifling difference" in a sentence?

Use "trifling difference" to describe a minor or insignificant distinction between two or more things. For example: "The two proposals had a "trifling difference" in cost, making it difficult to choose one over the other."

What can I say instead of "trifling difference"?

You can use alternatives like "negligible variation", "insignificant disparity", or "minor distinction" depending on the context.

Is "trifling difference" formal or informal?

"Trifling difference" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more common in formal writing due to the slightly elevated vocabulary.

What's the difference between "trifling difference" and "significant difference"?

"Trifling difference" indicates a small and unimportant distinction, while "significant difference" suggests a notable and important distinction. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.