Tangentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Tangentially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is only slightly related or relevant to the main topic or subject at hand. Example: "The discussion about climate change was tangentially related to our main focus on renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A parallel government crisis, tangentially related to the euro, sparked early elections and another change of regime in Slovenia.

The Guardian - Business

Tangentially, I like the way that, having shelved their noisenik inclinations here, Daft Punk helped craft the annihilating electro-thug beats on Kanye West's Yeezus in their spare time.

The Guardian - Music

Investors have given Silicon Valley's reigning royalty carte blanche this year to buy tangentially related firms witness Apple's purchase of Beats, a headphones maker, Facebook's deal for a messaging service, WhatsApp, and Google's acquisition of Nest Labs, which sells thermostats and smoke detectors.

The Economist

(Another nearly $2 billion, also authorised Friday, will go towards other transportation and rail improvements, some of which are tangentially related to the HSR plans).California is the last remaining proponent of Barack Obama's vision of a modern railroad network in America, an idea that has grown increasingly unpopular as projected costs have risen.

The Economist

They say to staff, she notes, "I just got this new job and I need to learn how to program in 'X' language; or, I'm in school and I want to learn about this topic that's tangentially related to me".

The Economist

Yet important questions about the economics of the trade are answered only tangentially: for instance, why a pound of ivory was worth 200 times more in Zanzibar than in the inland areas around Lake Tanganyika, where it was gathered.

The Economist

But the government has also claimed new powers by executive fiat, citing precedent from tangentially related cases.

The Economist

But it would address global warming only tangentially.

The Economist

In 2004 Mr Deripaska bought out Mr Abramovich and began to expand his empire vertically, horizontally and tangentially, sweeping up carmakers, insurers, construction companies, airlines and airports.

The Economist

Two chapters two-thirds of the way through the book actually discuss Da Vinci, but the rest merely mention him tangentially while wandering on a disconnected journey through the totality of western art and science.

The Economist

Any relevant transaction, even if it is only tangentially related to America, can be targeted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tangentially" to introduce related information that provides context or enriches understanding without derailing the main argument. It is useful when you want to mention something that is connected but not a direct focus.

Common error

Avoid using "tangentially" when the connection is completely absent or too vague. Ensure there's a clear, though indirect, relationship to the subject at hand.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "tangentially" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating a relationship that is indirect or not of primary importance. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in contexts where a topic is connected but not central to the discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tangentially" is a grammatically sound adverb used to describe connections that are indirect or secondary. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that the phrase is most commonly found in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its suitability for formal and neutral registers. While the phrase is correct and usable, according to Ludwig, it's important to ensure that there is a genuine connection between the subject at hand and the information introduced with "tangentially" to avoid misuse. Related alternatives include "peripherally" and "incidentally", each offering subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Peripherally

Focuses on the outer boundary or edge of relevance, suggesting a connection that is not central.

Incidentally

Highlights that the connection is casual or by chance, not a primary focus.

Remotely

Emphasizes the distant or slight nature of the connection.

Marginally

Indicates a minimal degree of connection or impact.

Indirectly

Stresses that the connection is not straightforward or immediate.

Secondarily

Suggests the connection is of lesser importance or priority.

Loosely related

Explicitly states that the connection is not tight or strong.

In passing

Implies the connection is brief or mentioned only briefly.

By the way

Introduces a related thought that is not essential to the main discussion.

As an aside

Signals a digression from the main topic, offering a related but not central comment.

FAQs

How can I use "tangentially" in a sentence?

"Tangentially" is used to indicate that something is related to a topic but not directly or centrally. For example, "The discussion about art was "tangentially related" to the main topic of politics".

What's a synonym for "tangentially"?

Synonyms for "tangentially" include "peripherally", "incidentally", and "remotely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "tangentially" in formal writing?

Yes, "tangentially" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a precise way to indicate a connection that isn't the main focus, as demonstrated in examples from The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica.

What's the difference between "tangentially" and "directly"?

"Tangentially" implies an indirect or slight connection, while "directly" indicates a clear and immediate relationship. If two subjects are "directly related", there is no intermediary step.