trivial thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trivial thing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that is unimportant or insignificant. An example of using this phrase in a sentence could be: "Although it may seem like a trivial thing, remembering to lock the front door is important for keeping our home safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's not a trivial thing".

The Guardian - Business

And anaemia is not a trivial thing.

The Economist

"It's not a trivial thing to do".

The Guardian - Tech

It is, I suppose, a very minor, trivial thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Immediately, you can see this is not a trivial thing".

The Guardian - Money

"It was probably the most trivial thing I had seen in five weeks.

The New York Times

It wasn't an idle or trivial thing for me, undertaking a book like this.

The New York Times - Books

"But it is not a trivial thing to re-engineer their systems".

The New York Times - Tech

A baby laughs at the most trivial thing and thinks himself happy; an adult does not.

The Economist

It seemed to me a trivial thing for you to be doing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The only non-trivial thing to check is Definition 7.1 (ii)(c) for the category ((Delta X)_M); this immediately follows from the fact that for any object (langle [n],x rangle in Delta ), a surjective map (f:[n] rightarrow [n']) in (Delta ) admits at most one lifting to a map (langle [n],x rangle rightarrow langle [n'],x' rangle ) in (Delta X).

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trivial thing" to downplay the significance of something, but be mindful of the context to avoid being dismissive or condescending.

Common error

Avoid using "trivial thing" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your language with synonyms like "insignificant matter" or "minor detail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial thing" functions as a noun phrase, where "trivial" modifies the noun "thing". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing something as being of little importance or significance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trivial thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting something of little importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its use spans multiple contexts, but it's most prevalent in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, careful consideration of the context is necessary to avoid insensitivity. Alternative phrasing, such as "insignificant matter" or "minor detail", can provide nuance or avoid repetition. When writing, overuse should be avoided and sensitivity to audience is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant matter

Replaces the more general "thing" with "matter", specifying the subject as an issue or concern.

minor detail

Focuses on the aspect of the issue being small or of little consequence.

unimportant detail

Directly states the lack of importance of the detail.

petty issue

Emphasizes the small-minded or insignificant nature of the problem.

inconsequential detail

Highlights the lack of impact or relevance of the detail.

negligible aspect

Suggests the aspect is so small it can be ignored.

small concern

Focuses on the issue being minor and not requiring significant attention.

light matter

Implies the issue is not serious or weighty.

slight concern

Highlights the low level of worry or importance associated with it.

trifling detail

Stresses the insignificance and lack of value in the detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "trivial thing" to describe something unimportant, as in "Although it may seem like a "trivial thing", remembering birthdays is important to some people."

What are some alternatives to saying "trivial thing"?

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

Is it ever inappropriate to describe something as a "trivial thing"?

Yes, describing something as a "trivial thing" can be insensitive if it's important to someone else or if it relates to a serious issue. Consider your audience and the context carefully.

What is the difference between "trivial thing" and "small thing"?

"Small thing" generally refers to physical size or scope, while ""trivial thing"" refers to importance or significance. A "small thing" might be a pebble, while a ""trivial thing"" might be a forgotten detail.