utter insignificance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter insignificance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the complete lack of importance or value of something. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, his complaints were of utter insignificance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Give in to the cold embrace of the void as you contemplate your utter insignificance.

The New Yorker

If man ever feels his utter insignificance at any time, it is when looking upon such a scene of appalling grandeur.

University of California, Berkeley

For the first time, people could see their planet framed against the black emptiness of eternal space and appreciate its technicolour beauty as well as its utter insignificance in the Universe.

Nature

"The sensations of my body," Elly says as she tackles a stretch of howling green-black water, "that tiny speck of gristle moving in its spasm across such a vast space, gave me a feeling of incredible power and utter insignificance".

The New York Times - Books

Admittedly, overcrowding at NHS hospitals will briefly become an extremely serious problem, but within a few days it will recede into utter insignificance.

Vice

Overcrowding at NHS hospitals will, admittedly, briefly become an extremely serious problem, but within a few days it will recede into utter insignificance.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

– and almost perfect insignificance.

The Guardian - Sport

An infinite number of universes would reduce it to utter cosmic insignificance.

The Economist

Utter garbage!

The New Yorker

"Captain America: utter, utter, utter tosh".

Independent

Utter madness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with imagery of vastness (space, ocean) to amplify the feeling of something being trivial.

Common error

Avoid using "utter insignificance" in everyday situations where a simpler phrase like "not important" would suffice. The phrase carries a weight that is best reserved for more profound or philosophical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter insignificance" functions as a noun phrase where "utter" intensifies the degree of insignificance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. This emphasizes a complete lack of importance or consequence. For example, the phrase is used to describe humanity's place in the universe.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science & Research

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Utter insignificance" is a phrase used to emphasize the complete lack of importance or impact of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in a variety of sources, including news, academic, and scientific contexts. The phrase is best used in situations where you want to convey a sense of profound triviality, often in comparison to something vast or powerful. When writing, be mindful of the context and avoid overuse in casual situations. Consider alternatives like "complete triviality" or "total unimportance" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete triviality

Emphasizes the lack of importance to the point of being inconsequential.

total unimportance

Focuses on the complete absence of importance.

sheer irrelevance

Highlights the lack of relevance or connection.

absolute pettiness

Suggests a smallness of scale, implying insignificance.

fundamental triviality

Emphasizes that the insignificance is a basic, underlying quality.

pure inconsequence

Highlights that there are no consequences to something.

rank unimportance

Emphasizes a high degree or level of unimportance.

simple immateriality

Focuses on the lack of material impact or relevance.

relative nothingness

Highlights how small or unimportant something is when compared to something else.

negligible consequence

Highlights that consequences are not worth paying attention to, due to their size.

FAQs

How can I use "utter insignificance" in a sentence?

You can use "utter insignificance" to describe something that lacks importance or impact. For example: "Faced with the vastness of the universe, we realize our "utter insignificance"."

What are some alternatives to "utter insignificance"?

Alternatives include "complete triviality", "total unimportance", or "sheer irrelevance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utter insignificance" formal or informal?

"Utter insignificance" is generally considered a more formal or literary phrase. It is suitable for academic writing, philosophical discussions, or situations where you want to emphasize a profound lack of importance. Simpler terms are better for informal context.

When is it appropriate to use "utter insignificance"?

Use "utter insignificance" when you want to convey a sense of overwhelming lack of importance, often in comparison to something vast or powerful. For example, describing humanity's place in the universe or the fleeting nature of life.