unnecessary details

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unnecessary details" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to information that does not add value or is not relevant to the conversation. Example: "I don't need to know all the unnecessary details, just the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Raised a Quaker, Gill simplified architecture, eliminating unnecessary details in a period that cherished doodads.

The New York Times - Books

By now, his associates have learned, there is no need to deluge him with unnecessary details, so long as someone knows them.

The New York Times

Information has to be arranged in some sort of sequence, tiny touches of humor or drama or pathos added, unnecessary details subtracted, hidden patterns emphasized.

The New York Times

And there is always the risk that borrowers who go on at length could unknowingly trip themselves up with unnecessary details that raise red flags for a mitigator.

The New York Times

The process can be confusing – you need to make sure you comply with the instructions, understand the application process and avoid adding unnecessary details that could confuse the computer and human on the other end.

The Guardian

As a result, Devils defenseman Paul Martin was recently listed as having "upper body soreness," a malady afflicting roughly 94percentt of the N.H.L. Giving unnecessary details in football could indeed be costly.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Get rid of unnecessary detail.

The Guardian

There are vast dumps of unnecessary detail.

The New Yorker

We've all seen charity annual reports that are too long and include unnecessary detail.

The Guardian

The article's unnecessary detail has also placed American operations officers at more risk.

The New York Times

In Marisol's art, unessential gesture and unnecessary detail go by the wayside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before including details in a document or presentation, ask yourself if they are truly necessary to support your argument or inform your audience. If not, omit them.

Common error

Avoid including too many "unnecessary details" in your writing or presentations, as this can overwhelm your audience and dilute the impact of your message. Stick to the essentials to maintain clarity and focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unnecessary details" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "unnecessary" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "details". It describes specific pieces of information that are not required or essential in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unnecessary details" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes information that is superfluous or irrelevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. To enhance clarity and conciseness in communication, it's crucial to avoid including "unnecessary details" and focus on essential information. Alternative ways to express this concept include "redundant information", "superfluous information", and "irrelevant specifics". While this phrase is appropriate in a variety of contexts, its usage patterns and examples from Ludwig, suggest a preference in scientific writing or in news reporting to emphasize the core of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redundant information

Replaces "details" with "information" and "unnecessary" with "redundant", focusing on the repetitiveness of the information.

superfluous information

Emphasizes the excessiveness of the information, using "superfluous" as a stronger synonym for "unnecessary".

irrelevant specifics

Substitutes "details" with "specifics" and "unnecessary" with "irrelevant", highlighting the lack of connection to the main topic.

extraneous particulars

Uses more formal synonyms, "extraneous" for "unnecessary" and "particulars" for "details", indicating information not essential to the whole.

gratuitous data

Suggests the information is not only unnecessary but also uncalled for or unwarranted.

immaterial facts

Focuses on the lack of importance or consequence of the details.

inessential points

Replaces "details" with "points", emphasizing that the details are not crucial.

peripheral aspects

Highlights that the details are on the outer edge of the main subject, not central to it.

excessive minutiae

Emphasizes the overly fine or trivial nature of the details.

unneeded elaborations

Focuses on the fact that the extra information is not required or desired.

FAQs

How can I avoid including "unnecessary details" in my writing?

Focus on the main points and only include information that directly supports your argument or informs your audience. Review your work and cut out anything that is "redundant information" or "irrelevant specifics".

What's the difference between "unnecessary details" and helpful context?

"Unnecessary details" are superfluous and don't add value to the message, while helpful context provides important background information that aids understanding. It's about knowing the difference between "inessential points" and crucial information.

What are some alternatives to saying "unnecessary details"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "superfluous information", "extraneous particulars", or "immaterial facts".

Is it always bad to include extra details?

Not always. Sometimes, additional details can enrich a story or provide a deeper understanding. However, it's important to ensure that these details are relevant and don't distract from the main message, avoiding "unneeded elaborations".