was inconsequential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was inconsequential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that had little or no significance or impact in a given context. Example: "The decision to change the meeting time was inconsequential, as most attendees were available regardless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The exchange was inconsequential.

The New York Times

The game itself was inconsequential.

The New York Times - Sports

That person was inconsequential to Paolo.

The New Yorker

But the showboating gaffe was inconsequential.

The New York Times - Sports

And in comparison to other things it was inconsequential.

The New York Times

(Where once she was inconsequential, now she is underestimated).

The New York Times - Arts

A YES spokesman said the meeting was inconsequential.

The New York Times - Sports

Is this to say Derek's death was inconsequential?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He also threw his first career interception, but it was inconsequential.

The New York Times - Sports

While the force was inconsequential, it became a nuisance as the evenings progressed.

The New York Times

The agenda was inconsequential and the talk was dominated by the Middle East.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was inconsequential" to downplay the significance of an event, action, or detail without dismissing it entirely. It's useful when acknowledging something exists but has minimal impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was inconsequential" when something has a clear, demonstrable effect. The phrase implies minimal impact, so choose it carefully to match the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was inconsequential" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of significance or importance. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in downplaying events or details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was inconsequential" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something had little to no significance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media and Science, the phrase serves to downplay the importance of an event or detail. While alternatives like "was insignificant" and "was unimportant" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to ensure that the level of insignificance aligns with the actual impact being described. Use "was inconsequential" judiciously to maintain clarity and accuracy in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact.

was unimportant

Highlights the lack of importance.

was negligible

Suggests the effect or amount was so small it could be ignored.

was of little consequence

Formally expresses the lack of importance.

was trivial

Indicates the matter was minor or petty.

was of no account

Emphasizes a lack of value or importance.

didn't matter

Simple and direct way of expressing lack of importance.

had no significance

Focuses on the lack of meaningfulness.

was immaterial

Highlights that it's irrelevant or not pertinent.

was beside the point

Indicates that something is not relevant to the matter being discussed.

FAQs

What does "was inconsequential" mean?

The phrase "was inconsequential" means that something had very little importance or significance; it didn't have a notable effect or impact.

How can I use "was inconsequential" in a sentence?

You can use "was inconsequential" to describe an event, detail, or action that had a minimal impact. For example: "The delay "was inconsequential" because we still arrived on time."

What can I say instead of "was inconsequential"?

You can use alternatives like "was insignificant", "was unimportant", or "was negligible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was inconsequential" or "is inconsequential"?

Both are correct but used in different contexts. "Was inconsequential" refers to something that happened in the past, while "is inconsequential" refers to something that is currently not important.