trivial task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trivial task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a task that is relatively easy or insignificant in comparison to other tasks. For example, "I finished the trivial task quickly so I could focus on the more important ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's no trivial task.

MIT Technology Review

That is not a trivial task.

The Guardian

Building good user interfaces is no trivial task.

University of California, Berkeley

To be fair, securing software is not a trivial task.

The New York Times

Guaranteeing the continuity between segments is not a trivial task.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

This is a trivial task, and one that doesn't require any language.

The New Yorker

This is not a trivial task; it requires honesty, flexibility and strategic vision.

The New York Times

Given the large number of parameters in most models, this is no trivial task.

Princeton University

This may sound like a trivial task but it is actually rather complicated.

Cornell University

It might seem that integrating molecular markers and quantitative methods would be a trivial task.

Encyclopedia Britannica

DIGITAL photography has made the creation of two-dimensional images a trivial task.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider contrasting a "trivial task" with a more challenging one, highlighting the difference in complexity and effort.

Common error

Avoid using "trivial task" when the task actually requires significant effort or skill. Mislabeling a complex task as trivial can undermine the work and create a false impression of its difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial task" functions as a noun phrase, where "trivial" is an adjective modifying the noun "task". As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a task that is not important or complex. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trivial task" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe actions of low importance or minimal effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and readily usable in written English. Its frequency is high across various domains, particularly in science, news media, and academia. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly explains why the task is considered trivial, and avoid overstating the triviality of tasks that require substantial effort. Related phrases such as "simple task" or "minor undertaking" can provide nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple task

Replaces 'trivial' with 'simple', emphasizing ease and lack of complexity.

easy task

Substitutes 'trivial' with 'easy', highlighting the lack of difficulty involved.

straightforward task

Replaces 'trivial' with 'straightforward', suggesting a task with a clear and uncomplicated process.

minor undertaking

Replaces 'task' with 'undertaking' and 'trivial' with 'minor', softening the tone and highlighting the small scale of the activity.

insignificant chore

Changes 'task' to 'chore' and 'trivial' to 'insignificant', portraying the activity as routine and unimportant.

light work

Emphasizes the minimal effort required, using a more concise and informal expression.

painless assignment

Highlights the ease and lack of difficulty in completing the assigned work.

undemanding job

Replaces 'task' with 'job' and 'trivial' with 'undemanding', stressing the low level of skill or effort required.

small matter

Shifts the focus from the activity itself to its overall importance, depicting it as a negligible concern.

child's play

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme ease, suggesting the task is simple enough for a child to perform.

FAQs

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

You can use "trivial task" to describe a task that is easy or unimportant. For example, "Compared to the complex data analysis, formatting the report was a "trivial task"."

What are some alternatives to saying "trivial task"?

Instead of "trivial task", you could say "simple task", "easy task", or "minor undertaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to call a task "trivial"?

No, it's important to consider the context and the perspective of the person performing the task. What seems like a "trivial task" to one person may be challenging or time-consuming for another.

What's the difference between a "trivial task" and an "insignificant task"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of importance, "trivial task" often implies ease of execution, while "insignificant task" focuses more on the task's negligible impact or consequence. You might consider formatting the report as a "trivial task", but organizing the CEO's socks would be considered an "insignificant chore".