trivially true

USAGE SUMMARY

'trivially true' is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe facts or statements that are self-evident or obvious, and require no further explanation. For example: "It is trivially true that the sum of two odd numbers is even."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On one level, this is trivially true.

The Economist

Which is trivially true - a woman is more likely to buy you a pint if you drink than if you're teetotal.

The Guardian

January 2, 2013 This is trivially true: Norquist uncharacteristically ignores the fact that even by his own overly-legalistic standard, taxes did go up on higher income earners.

The Guardian

For n = 1, the conjecture is trivially true since any compact, closed, simply connected, one-dimensional manifold is homeomorphic to the circle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The case is trivially true.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

On that view, No Twins is trivially true.

SEP

Psychological egoism turns out to be trivially true.

SEP

For n = 0, this statement is trivially true.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Note first that the case i = 0 is trivially true.

Boundary Value Problems

The vacuity objection, however, insists that LY turns out to be trivially true.

SEP

(For the same reason all universal mathematical statements will be trivially true).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trivially true" to acknowledge a point without dwelling on it, ensuring your writing focuses on more complex or nuanced aspects of the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "trivially true" dismissively in arguments that require careful consideration or where the truth may not be immediately apparent to all readers. It can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trivially true" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a statement or fact, indicating its self-evident or obvious nature. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trivially true" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe self-evident statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, especially in scientific and academic writing. The phrase's function is to acknowledge obvious facts and streamline discussions by moving past unnecessary elaborations. While generally neutral to formal, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding dismissive. Alternatives like "obviously true" or "self-evidently true" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Ultimately, "trivially true" serves as a useful tool in clear and concise communication, but its impact depends on the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously true

Replaces 'trivially' with 'obviously', suggesting a slightly stronger sense of self-evidence.

self-evidently true

Emphasizes that the truth is apparent without the need for proof or reasoning.

patently obvious

Indicates that something is clearly and undeniably obvious.

undeniably true

Highlights the irrefutable nature of the truth.

clearly the case

Indicates something is undoubtedly true and readily apparent.

plainly evident

Suggests that something is easily seen or understood to be true.

intuitively true

Implies that something is true based on intuition or immediate understanding.

axiomatically true

Refers to a truth that is accepted as a starting point without proof, typically in mathematics or logic.

by definition

Highlights that something is true according to the established definition.

inherently true

Emphasizes that something is true as an essential quality or characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "trivially true" in a sentence?

Use "trivially true" to describe statements that are self-evident or logically follow from established facts. For example, "It is "trivially true" that all squares have four sides".

What are some alternatives to "trivially true"?

Alternatives include "obviously true", "self-evidently true", or "patently obvious". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "trivially true" in academic writing?

Yes, "trivially true" can be used in academic writing to acknowledge basic facts or logical consequences. However, avoid using it dismissively, as it can undermine the rigor of your argument.

What's the difference between "trivially true" and "tautological"?

"Trivially true" suggests something is obviously true based on common knowledge or simple logic. "Tautological" refers to a statement that is true by its logical form alone, often involving a circularity in reasoning. While related, "tautological" has a more formal and potentially critical connotation.