trivial topics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trivial topics" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to subjects or discussions that are considered insignificant or of little importance. Example: "During the meeting, we spent too much time on trivial topics instead of focusing on the main issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Despite 4chan's focus on trivial topics, many Anons considered themselves crusaders for justice.

The New Yorker

Ask questions, even about the most trivial topics, to make sure you understand not only what happened, but also how the other person felt about what happened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The students in the class find that seemingly trivial topics of discussion can quickly bleed into far more serious ones — perhaps the teacher is getting at this partly when he remarks that "what," "where," and "who" are better than "why".

The New Yorker

Hundreds of other commissions -- read on to learn why they are so often called "blue ribbon" -- were named in the years between, most on trivial topics like "Americans outdoors," but some on matters as serious as terrorism, race riots and AIDS.

The New York Times

Slitting his veins and then bandaging them again in order to delay his death, he passed the remaining hours of his life conversing with his friends on trivial topics, listening to light music and poetry, rewarding or punishing his slaves, feasting, and finally sleeping "so that his death, though forced upon him, should seem natural".

Encyclopedia Britannica

To assess if writing projects lessen undergraduates' grief following a loved one's suicide, 40 students whose loved one died by suicide in the past 2 years wrote on four occasions over 2 weeks about profound topics (e.g., events and emotions surrounding the death) or trivial topics (e.g., description of the previous meal).

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Now it is taking on the least trivial topic of all: God.

The New York Times - Tech

He went to hear an analytic philosopher who spoke on a trivial topic but was quite lucid.

The New Yorker

It is a huge project, involving device compatibility, internet connectivity, and the non-trivial topic of rights to do all that.

The Guardian

"Enforcing the immigration laws of the United States is not a voluntary or trivial matter," said Sen. Charles E. Grassley as he opened a hearing on the topic this summer, after Katherine Steinle was killed in San Francisco, allegedly by Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant.

Los Angeles Times

A trivial matter?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to downplay the importance of a subject, use "trivial topics" to subtly indicate its lack of significance without sounding overly critical. For example, avoid dwelling on "trivial topics" during serious discussions.

Common error

While "trivial topics" is acceptable, avoid its overuse in formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "inconsequential matters" or "minor issues" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivial topics" functions as a noun phrase, where "trivial" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "topics". Ludwig AI shows examples from news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trivial topics" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe subjects of little importance. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it also suggests considering the context and formality when choosing synonyms like "inconsequential topics" or "minor issues". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, indicating its general understandability, but careful usage in formal writing is recommended. When including markdown formatting in content fields, always wrap the main query in quotation marks ("trivial topics") and render in bold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsequential topics

Replaces "trivial" with a synonym emphasizing the lack of consequence.

insignificant subjects

Focuses on the lack of importance of the subjects being discussed.

minor issues

Shifts the focus to the 'issues' aspect of the topics, implying they are small and easily resolved.

unimportant matters

Emphasizes the lack of importance and formality of the subjects.

frivolous subjects

Highlights the lighthearted and unserious nature of the topics.

petty subjects

Implies the topics are small-minded and insignificant.

meaningless discussions

Focuses on the lack of purpose or value in the discussions.

shallow conversations

Highlights the lack of depth and substance in the conversations.

superficial discussions

Highlights that the discussions are only scratching the surface, without depth.

idle chatter

Conveys a sense of aimless and unimportant conversation.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "trivial topics"?

Alternatives for "trivial topics" include "inconsequential topics", "insignificant subjects", and "minor issues". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "trivial topics" might be considered too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using alternatives like "inconsequential matters" or "unimportant subjects" for a more professional tone.

How can I avoid focusing on "trivial topics" in meetings?

To avoid focusing on "trivial topics" in meetings, create a clear agenda beforehand and stick to it. Designate a timekeeper to ensure that discussions stay on track and relevant to the meeting's objectives. Prioritize addressing significant issues and defer "trivial topics" to separate discussions or email.

What's the difference between "trivial topics" and "unimportant issues"?

While similar, "trivial topics" refers to subjects that lack importance or significance, while "unimportant issues" emphasizes problems or matters that don't warrant serious attention. The choice between them depends on whether you are referring to a subject of discussion or a matter needing resolution.