trivial dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trivial dispute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a disagreement or argument that is minor or insignificant in nature. Example: "The meeting was derailed by a trivial dispute over the color of the new office chairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Surely, people said to me during my travels, the American government isn't going to close down over such a trivial dispute.

The New Yorker

TRIVIAL DISPUTE -- It's the game of Life... in other words, who argues it better?

Huffington Post

Here I want to explain why this is not just a pedagogical issue, a trivial dispute between two eggheads.

Huffington Post

Carnage, his most recent outing, records the savage meltdown during a trivial dispute of two "civilized" couples in an apartment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Even the most trivial disputes can absorb energies for years.

The Economist

In boxing, such seemingly trivial disputes are considered major slaps in the face.

The New York Times - Sports

The battle between the two main challengers has been dominated by niggling personal issues and trivial disputes.

The Economist

The 1988 constitution, a hotch-potch of social and economic rights, encourages appeals in even trivial disputes to the Supreme Court.

The Economist

A cultural change among young people that is encouraging them to use knives, even for trivial disputes or minor theft.

The Guardian

But the relationship is still plagued by trivial disputes about the kind of chlorinated water that can be used to disinfect chickens.

The Economist

"A small group of youths are carrying guns, wearing colours and killing each other over trivial disputes," says George Kelling of the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trivial dispute" to downplay the seriousness of a disagreement, suggesting it's not worth significant attention or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "trivial dispute" when the disagreement has significant consequences or involves serious matters, as it can undermine the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial dispute" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a disagreement that is of little importance. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trivial dispute" describes a minor disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing unimportant conflicts. While synonyms like "minor disagreement" and "petty squabble" exist, "trivial dispute" is best used to downplay the significance of an issue, particularly in neutral contexts such as news reports. Remember to avoid using this phrase when the disagreement is, in fact, serious. It's most commonly found in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minor disagreement

Focuses on the small scale of the disagreement.

Petty squabble

Emphasizes the insignificance and often childish nature of the dispute.

Insignificant argument

Highlights the lack of importance of the argument.

Minor contention

A more formal way of describing a small disagreement.

Small disagreement

Simply indicates the diminutive size of the disagreement.

Petty difference

Highlights the small nature of the difference in opinion.

Inconsequential conflict

Emphasizes the lack of consequences resulting from the conflict.

Frivolous disagreement

Indicates the disagreement is not serious and perhaps even amusingly unimportant.

Minor difference of opinion

Highlights the slight variation in viewpoints.

Negligible disagreement

Emphasizes that the disagreement is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

What does "trivial dispute" mean?

A "trivial dispute" refers to a disagreement or argument that is minor, insignificant, and not worth taking seriously.

What are some synonyms for "trivial dispute"?

Alternatives include "minor disagreement", "petty squabble", or "insignificant argument".

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

Example: "The meeting was delayed by a "trivial dispute" over office supplies."

When is it inappropriate to describe something as a "trivial dispute"?

It's inappropriate when the disagreement involves serious issues or has significant consequences. Calling something a "trivial dispute" in such cases could minimize the real impact of the situation.