trivial problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"trivial problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a problem that is minor or insignificant. For example: His car broke down, but the mechanic said it was a trivial problem that he could easily fix.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"This is not a trivial problem," he said.

The New York Times

A trivial problem reveals the limits of technology.

The New Yorker

There's a trivial problem for Labour, and a serious one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, Landis says, this is not a trivial problem.

MIT Technology Review

NO ONE calls upon James Baker, an American elder statesman, to solve a trivial problem.

The Economist

A more common and trivial problem with venues, yet still immensely irritating, is coming from outside.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Developing a pattern language is a non-trivial problem.

Computers in Human Behavior

Continuity requirement poses a non-trivial problem at resolution changes.

Journal of Computational Physics

As a matter of fact, this is a non-trivial problem in knowledge representation.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Regardless of the application, determining the behavioural characteristics of batteries is a non-trivial problem.

Measurement

Yet, the identification of modules and standardised interaction routes remains a non-trivial problem.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trivial problem" when you want to downplay the severity of an issue, but ensure the context aligns with this reduced importance to avoid miscommunication.

Common error

Avoid labeling critical issues as a "trivial problem", as this can undermine the concern and diminish the perceived importance of the situation, potentially leading to inaction or neglect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial problem" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "trivial" modifies the noun "problem". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to describe an issue that is minor or insignificant. This phrase is commonly used across various contexts to downplay the seriousness of a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trivial problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe minor or insignificant issues. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It functions as a noun phrase to minimize the perceived importance of a situation, often in neutral communication settings. While prevalent in science, news, and academia, it's important to avoid using it when dealing with serious or impactful concerns, as highlighted in the writing guidance. Alternatives like "minor issue" or "insignificant matter" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor issue

Focuses on the reduced impact or importance of the problem.

insignificant matter

Highlights the lack of significance or consequence of the problem.

petty concern

Emphasizes the small scale and often the lack of importance of the concern.

small difficulty

Indicates a problem that is not large or complex.

minor setback

Suggests a temporary delay or obstacle that is not major.

slight hitch

Implies a minor and easily resolved problem.

inconsequential challenge

Underscores that the challenge has little to no importance.

negligible complication

Indicates that the complication is so small it can be ignored.

easily resolved issue

Highlights the straightforwardness of finding a solution.

unimportant snag

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "trivial problem" to describe an issue that is easily resolved or of little importance. For example, "The software glitch was a "trivial problem" that the developers fixed quickly."

What's the difference between "trivial problem" and "minor problem"?

Both "trivial problem" and "minor problem" describe issues of low significance, but "trivial problem" often suggests even less impact or easier resolution than "minor problem".

What are some alternatives to saying "trivial problem"?

You can use alternatives like "minor issue", "insignificant matter", or "petty concern" depending on the specific context.

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

It's inappropriate to use "trivial problem" when the issue has significant consequences or impacts a large number of people. Overly minimizing a situation can lead to a lack of appropriate response.