trivial material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trivial material" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about something of little or no importance, for example: "The professor dismissed the student's essay as being full of trivial material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Theater

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The first two movements evoke a surreal landscape in which the late-Romantic symphony seems to have collapsed on itself, its grand themes supplanted by trivial material.

The New Yorker

Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper, directors of the Nature Theater of Oklahoma, have created a magnum opus that seeks to transform trivial material into magical theater.

The New York Times

Geoffrey was convinced that the kind of populist journalism exemplified by Hugh Cudlipp's newspapers, in which informative and even educative content was entwined with entertaining, more trivial material, was the best possible tabloid formula.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This study highlights the efficiency of diffusion multiples for non-trivial materials' discovery and design.

Materials & Design

Interesting examples of isotropic auxetic materials (with negative Poisson's ratio) and non-trivial materials with isotropic elasticity but anisotropic fracturation (weak direction) are shown.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

But her detailed descripton of her first confrontation with Mr Starr's investigators contained by far the most significant revelations, amid the mass of mainly trivial Lewinsky material flooding out.

The Guardian

A review of "Living Modern" in The New Republic_ _registered skepticism at the very idea of an exhibition that includes an artist's shoes — the notion, the reviewer wrote, "sounds so trivial, so material, so sexist, so utterly besides the point".

The New Yorker

Pretty trivial stuff.

The Guardian

Deep meanings can come from seemingly trivial source materials.

Vice

These lobbyists are being paid for a trivial achievement, having material added to the Congressional Record in a form that will not affect the bill or interpretation of the resulting law.

The New York Times

In May 2013, Christine Ferguson, the FCO's records officer, had first hinted of their existence, but had implied they were trivial "odd collections of material", and the FCO had then estimated only 250,000 "special" files.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trivial material", ensure the context clearly indicates why the material is considered unimportant, irrelevant, or lacking in substance. Providing a contrast with more significant elements can strengthen this point.

Common error

Avoid labeling something as "trivial material" without providing sufficient context for the reader to understand why it's being dismissed. Simply stating that something is "trivial" can sound dismissive or arrogant without further explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial material" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "trivial" modifies the noun "material". This combination serves to describe something as being of little importance or value. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trivial material" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes something unimportant or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its wide applicability across different types of writing. While the phrase is acceptable in most contexts, it's important to provide context to clarify why the material is being dismissed. For formal writing, consider more precise synonyms like "inconsequential elements". Common sources include news media and scientific publications. Be aware of the potential for overuse or sounding dismissive. Ensure the writing avoids ambiguity or lacks clear context in the dismissal of content as "trivial".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant content

Replaces "material" with a synonym, focusing on the lack of importance of the content.

unimportant data

Substitutes both words with synonyms that emphasize the lack of significance and its nature of the data.

minor information

Replaces "material" with "information", indicating the content's reduced relevance or impact.

petty details

Replaces both words with synonyms that suggest the content is small-minded or of little consequence.

negligible subject matter

Uses more formal synonyms to highlight the irrelevance of the topic at hand.

inconsequential elements

Replaces "material" with "elements", emphasizing the lack of impact the pieces have.

worthless information

Highlights the lack of value or importance of the information.

meaningless content

Focuses on the lack of purpose or significance of the content.

irrelevant substance

Indicates that the material is not applicable or related to the matter at hand.

pointless stuff

Suggests the material has no purpose or reason for being included.

FAQs

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

You can use "trivial material" to describe something of little importance or significance. For example, "The report was bogged down with "unimportant data" and lacked substantial analysis."

What are some alternatives to "trivial material"?

Alternatives include "insignificant content", "minor information", or "petty details", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "trivial material" in formal writing?

While "trivial material" is acceptable, in formal writing, consider using more precise or elevated language, such as "negligible subject matter" or "inconsequential elements", to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "trivial material" and "irrelevant material"?

"Trivial material" refers to something unimportant or insignificant, while "irrelevant material" is not pertinent or related to the topic at hand. Something can be trivial without being irrelevant, and vice versa.