Be relevant

USAGE SUMMARY

"Be relevant" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a command or instruction to someone to stay on topic or to make sure their statement is related to the current discussion or situation. Example: During a group discussion, someone goes off on a tangent about their personal life. The facilitator can say, "Let's get back to the main topic. Be relevant, please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be relevant.

Forbes

Be relevant to your audience.

Forbes

Be relevant and original.

Los Angeles Times

Would that be relevant?

The New Yorker

NEW Be relevant.

The New York Times - Books

3. Be relevant.

The Guardian

It must be relevant.

The New York Times - Health

Ballet has to be relevant.

The Guardian

"Could these words be relevant?

The New York Times

"That said, we have to be relevant".

The New York Times

"Ads need to be relevant," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting information, always consider your audience and tailor your message to "be relevant" to their interests and needs. This ensures better engagement and comprehension.

Common error

Avoid making statements that are too broad or lack specific context. Always ensure your points directly address the matter at hand; otherwise, you risk losing your audience's attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Be relevant" functions as an imperative, primarily used to direct someone to ensure their contributions or statements are directly related and applicable to the current topic or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Be relevant" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to urge focus and pertinence in communication. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, remember to consider your audience and the specific context to ensure your message is well-received. Avoid overgeneralizations and maintain a clear, direct connection to the topic at hand. Alternatives like "be pertinent" or "stay on topic" can provide similar guidance with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be pertinent

Highlights the importance of being directly related to the matter at hand.

Maintain relevance

Focuses on the need to ensure ongoing pertinence.

Keep it relevant

Suggests a need to ensure ongoing relevance.

Ensure relevance

Emphasizes the need to make certain something is relevant.

Stay pertinent

Focuses on maintaining relevance over time.

Be applicable

Stresses the importance of being suitable or appropriate.

Remain applicable

Emphasizes the quality of being suitable or appropriate.

Stay on topic

Highlights the importance of adhering to the current subject.

Keep it topical

Highlights the importance of staying current and up-to-date.

Concentrate on the subject

Highlights the importance of focusing on the current topic.

FAQs

How to use "Be relevant" in a sentence?

You can use "Be relevant" as a direct command in discussions or writing, urging someone to stay on topic or ensure their contributions are pertinent. For example, "When sharing your thoughts, be relevant to the conversation at hand."

What can I say instead of "Be relevant"?

You can use alternatives like "be pertinent", "stay on topic", or "remain applicable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "Be relevant"?

It's appropriate to use "Be relevant" when you need to ensure that information or contributions are directly related to the current discussion or topic, avoiding tangents or irrelevant details.

What does it mean to "Be relevant" in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, to "Be relevant" means to ensure that your work, ideas, and communications are directly applicable and valuable to the company's goals, client needs, or ongoing projects. It's all about providing useful, timely contributions.