trivial request

USAGE SUMMARY

"trivial request" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when referring to something that is minor or insignificant. For example: "Can you please do me this trivial request?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The husband ignored a rather trivial request from his wife: he could very easily have wiped the blood off his face in the midst of shaving--no big deal!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The trivial requests are also wearing thin with the British police.

The Economist

This is a digital assault in which a computer server is swamped by trivial requests that make it impossible to serve legitimate ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

The number of extradition cases being dealt with in the UK courts has reached record levels, fuelled by a number of "trivial" requests from Europe that have exasperated the police and clogged up the system, the Guardian has learned.

The Guardian

EAWs, requiring the arrest and extradition of suspects from one EU country to another, are being used by Poland for a "large volume of trivial extradition requests", according to Detective Sergeant Gary Flood of Scotland Yard's extradition unit.

The Guardian

Officials themselves worried that they would be swamped by trivial and vindictive requests that would dilute the original purpose of the law.

The New York Times

This is not a trivial point, since such requests make up the majority of those raised by constituents.

The New Yorker

The reluctance of GPs to visit patients in institutional settings has been discussed previously and factors such as a desire amongst GPs to maintain strict practice boundaries and the perceived trivial nature of visiting requests have been cited as barriers to the provision of general medical services to older people in these settings [ 27].

BMC Health Services Research

"The repeated, often silly requests for inane, trivial information," the lawsuit declares, "are motivated primarily by the anger of almost-perennial losing candidates".

The New York Times

The revisions requested are relatively trivial: enhanced discussion points from reviewers 1 and 2. In addition, reviewer 3 requires some additional simulations to be done which we agree would be prudent.

eLife

Doctors may not detail all non-serious adverse events in their follow-up forms as they consider them "trivial" and/or unrelated despite the questionnaires requesting details of adverse events and not adverse drug reactions.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trivial request" to downplay the significance of something you are asking for, making it seem less burdensome.

Common error

Avoid using "trivial request" repeatedly in the same context, as it can come across as dismissive or condescending. Vary your language to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial request" functions as a noun phrase where "trivial" modifies the noun "request". Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It denotes a request that is of little importance or significance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trivial request" is a grammatically correct way to describe a request that is of little importance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts, most frequently in news and media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, remember that while it effectively downplays the significance of a request, it can also sound dismissive if overused or applied inappropriately. Alternatives like "minor request" or "small request" may be more suitable in certain situations. To use it correctly, think of it as a way to signal that something is easy and not critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor request

Emphasizes the insignificant nature of the request.

insignificant request

Highlights the lack of importance of the request.

small request

Focuses on the size or scale of the request.

unimportant request

Directly states that the request is not important.

petty request

Implies the request is trivial and possibly annoying.

negligible request

Suggests that the request is so small it can be disregarded.

inconsequential request

Indicates the request has no significant consequences.

trifling request

Highlights the lack of substance or worth of the request.

paltry request

Suggests the request is insignificant and almost worthless.

easily fulfilled request

Focuses on the ease with which the request can be completed.

FAQs

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

You can use "trivial request" to describe a small or easily manageable task. For example, "Fulfilling this "minor request" won't take much time at all".

What's the difference between "trivial request" and "simple request"?

"Trivial request" emphasizes the lack of importance, while "simple request" focuses on the ease of completion. A "trivial request" might be easy to do but also unimportant, whereas a "simple request" might still be somewhat important but straightforward.

Are there any situations where I shouldn't use the phrase "trivial request"?

Avoid using "trivial request" when the task is genuinely important to the other person, as it can diminish their feelings or needs. Using a phrase like "small request" may sound more sensitive.

What can I say instead of "trivial request"?

You can use alternatives like "minor request", "insignificant request", or "small request" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.