trifling matters

USAGE SUMMARY

"trifling matters" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to issues or concerns that are insignificant or unimportant. Example: "She was upset over trifling matters that didn't really affect her life." Alternative expressions include "petty issues" and "minor concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

These are not trifling matters.

The Economist

Japan is preposterously strict over trifling matters but turns a blind eye to serious ones.

The Economist

Of course, there are the trifling matters of feudalism, cronyism, ingrained privilege and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this year, the state media evidently found itself too busy for such trifling matters as the Nobel.

The New Yorker

Using the "trifling matters between the sexes" as the theme of her stories, she accurately described the desires, imaginations, and personalities of urban residents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That she has also been the subject of academic studies on feminism and fandom only bolsters her credentials as one whose cultural stock has gone beyond such trifling matters as chart positions.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This is no trifling matter.

Independent

But guns in America are no trifling matter.

The Guardian

Don't think that this is a trifling matter.

The Guardian

Likewise, a trifling matter like corporate sexism is just another minor obstacle.

Independent

Increased bloodshed seems to be a trifling matter to automobile manufacturers compared with sales and profits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trifling matters" to downplay the importance of specific concerns, especially when contrasting them with more significant issues.

Common error

While "trifling matters" is grammatically correct, avoid using it too frequently in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that reflects the specific nature of the unimportant issues you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trifling matters" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "trifling" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "matters". Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. It describes subjects considered to be of little consequence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trifling matters" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe issues of little importance. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While not highly frequent, it appears most often in news and media, with a neutral formality. Consider alternatives like "inconsequential matters" or "minor matters" for more formal contexts. Remember to use it to downplay concerns, contrasting them with more significant ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsequential matters

Replaces "trifling" with "inconsequential", emphasizing the lack of importance.

petty matters

Substitutes "trifling" with "petty", suggesting a small-minded or trivial nature.

minor matters

Replaces "trifling" with "minor", indicating a reduced level of significance.

trivial matters

Uses "trivial" instead of "trifling" to highlight the insignificance of the issues.

unimportant matters

Directly states the lack of importance, replacing "trifling" with "unimportant".

insignificant matters

Similar to unimportant matters with a slightly more formal tone.

small matters

Replaces "trifling" with "small", referring to the size of their real impact.

little matters

Replaces "trifling" with "little", emphasizing a diminutive scale.

light matters

Changes "trifling" to "light", suggesting issues that are not weighty or serious.

paltry matters

Using "paltry" instead of "trifling" means that something is almost worthless or despicable.

FAQs

What does "trifling matters" mean?

"Trifling matters" refers to issues or concerns that are insignificant, trivial, or of little importance. It suggests that these matters are not worth serious attention or worry.

What can I say instead of "trifling matters"?

You can use alternatives like "inconsequential matters", "petty matters", "minor matters", or "trivial matters" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "trifling matters" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "trifling matters" may sound informal in some formal contexts. Consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "inconsequential matters" or "unimportant matters" to maintain a higher level of formality.

How do I use "trifling matters" in a sentence?

You can use "trifling matters" to describe issues that are not worth getting upset about. For example: "She was upset over trifling matters that didn't really affect her life."