trivial amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trivial amount" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to convey a sense of something being negligible or insignificant, such as a sum of money or an amount of time. For example: She spent only a trivial amount of money on the dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

That is not a trivial amount.

The New York Times

But the Ghanaian government currently invests only $7m [£5m] yearly in sanitation: a tiny, trivial amount.

The Guardian

For all the trading in mortgage-backed securities, homeownership increased only a trivial amount.

The New York Times - Magazine

The boxes assure that the candy "adds a trivial amount of fat".

The New York Times - Food

Sequestration will cause maximum political disgust for a trivial amount of budget savings.

The New York Times

Even after the oil shocks in the 1970s, prices went up by what now seems like a trivial amount.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Only a few small areas were subjected to more than trivial amounts of soil disturbance.

The New Yorker

Most Russians exchanged their vouchers for trivial amounts of cash, or even vodka.

The Economist

Relative to the country's overall needs, these scraps contain only trivial amounts of oil and natural gas.

The New York Times

In exchange for what are to them trivial amounts of cash, the numerous oligarchs bought priceless respectability and safety.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those trivial amounts will end an accounting career of nearly 30 years and could result in significant costs to KPMG.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trivial amount" to emphasize that something is so small it's not worth worrying about, but be mindful of the context. Sometimes, even seemingly small amounts can have unexpected consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "trivial amount" when the amount is already understood to be small from context. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial amount" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "trivial" acts as an adjective describing the quantity or extent of something. It indicates that the amount is so small or insignificant as to be not worth considering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread presence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trivial amount" is a useful tool for emphasizing the insignificance of a quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, avoid redundancy by using it only when the smallness isn't already clear. Consider related phrases like "negligible quantity" or "minor quantity" to add variety to your writing. Remember that while something may seem a "trivial amount", its impact can still be noteworthy in certain situations. Always consider the full context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible quantity

Replaces "trivial" with "negligible", emphasizing the insignificance of the amount.

insignificant quantity

Replaces "trivial" with "insignificant", focusing on the lack of importance or consequence.

inconsequential amount

Highlights the lack of consequence or impact of the amount.

tiny amount

Uses "tiny" to emphasize the very small size of the amount.

minor quantity

Replaces "trivial" with "minor", suggesting a slight or unimportant amount.

mere fraction

Emphasizes that the amount is only a small part of something larger.

small quantity

A more general term, but still indicates a limited amount.

drop in the bucket

An idiomatic expression indicating that the amount is too small to make a significant difference.

pittance

Suggests a very small and inadequate amount, often in a financial context.

modicum

Implies a limited or moderate amount, often in a positive context.

FAQs

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

You can use "trivial amount" to describe something insignificant in quantity or value. For instance, "The change in sales was a "trivial amount" compared to last year's profits".

What's a good alternative to "trivial amount"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "negligible quantity", "insignificant quantity", or "minor quantity". They all convey a sense of unimportance or smallness.

Is "trivial amount" formal or informal?

"Trivial amount" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and style of your writing rather than the specific setting.

What's the difference between "trivial amount" and "small amount"?

While both describe quantity, "trivial amount" emphasizes the unimportance or insignificance of that quantity. "Small amount" simply indicates a quantity that is not large without necessarily implying it's unimportant.