a pertinent observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pertinent observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to highlight a relevant or significant comment or insight related to a particular topic or discussion. Example: "During the meeting, Sarah made a pertinent observation about the project's timeline that prompted further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Van der Vaart drew on his experience in Madrid to make a pertinent observation.

Independent

It is a pertinent observation: throughout his life Heaney remained true to his origins, to his experiences as part of a minority existing uneasily in the North of Ireland under Unionist rule.

Independent

In fact, a solution of the associated torsion problem is to nullify the effect due to applied or reactive edge stress τxy in the flexure problem (In this connection, a pertinent observation is that Kirchhoff's theory and FSDT are valid for the analysis of hard and soft, simply supported plates, respectively).

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

A pertinent observation was that when we knocked down the levels of endogenous CBX7 with shRNA, this led to a substantial decrease in the binding of CBX8 at the INK4a locus (Fig. 6A).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The result is shown to be in accord with all pertinent observations that were located in the literature.

Acta Materialia

We believe that all experiments have merit and that all the results derived from them provide useful information, even though the main purpose of all experiments is to test their respective hypotheses, which may or may not pertain to any pertinent observations of nature.

Cancer Medicine

We settled back, thinking to hear a few pertinent observations about the great theologian.

The New Yorker

A 1986 ad for BT cellphones, promising that the user "can make maximum effective use of 'dead time' - time spent travelling", draws the pertinent observation that "dead time" could "equally well refer to time spent with families or at leisure".

The Guardian - Books

Lori Marino of Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, reviewed this evidence.One pertinent observation is that dolphins, whales and their kind have brains as anatomically complex as those of humans, and that these brains contain a particular type of nerve cell, known as a spindle cell, that in humans is associated with higher cognitive functions such as abstract reasoning.

The Economist

A carbon nanotube, he adds, is the only known object of its size that conducts electricity well.Perhaps the most pertinent observation, however, is that of Stephen Empedocles, the co-founder and director of business development of Nanosys, a company based in Palo Alto, California.

The Economist

At that point they selected 20 spiderlings from each group for further study.Their first pertinent observation was that, while female wolf spiders did indeed sometimes eat males before breeding with them, that happened only 10% of the time, and did not seem to be more frequent if the female had been starved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pertinent observation" to introduce a point that is both relevant to the discussion and insightful, moving the conversation forward.

Common error

Avoid using "a pertinent observation" in informal settings where simpler language would suffice. Phrases like "good point" or "that's interesting" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pertinent observation" functions as a noun phrase, with 'pertinent' acting as a descriptive adjective. It modifies the noun 'observation', indicating that the observation is relevant and significant. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pertinent observation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, employed to emphasize the relevance and insightfulness of a comment or finding. While Ludwig marks it as correct, its frequency is rare and is used neutrally in news, media and science. To enhance your writing, use it in appropriate contexts and avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "a relevant point" or "a key insight" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relevant point

Focuses on the relevance of the point being made, rather than its observational nature.

a key insight

Emphasizes the insightful nature of the observation.

a significant remark

Highlights the importance of the comment.

an important consideration

Shifts the focus to the importance of considering the observation.

a noteworthy comment

Stresses that the comment is worth taking note of.

a crucial finding

Emphasizes the finding aspect and its critical importance.

a telling detail

Highlights how the observation reveals something important.

a germane remark

Stresses the relevance and appropriateness of the remark.

a fitting comment

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the comment in a certain context.

a timely insight

Focuses on the insight being presented at the right time.

FAQs

How can I use "a pertinent observation" in a sentence?

You can use "a pertinent observation" to introduce a relevant and insightful point. For example: "During the meeting, she made "a pertinent observation" about the budget constraints."

What are some alternatives to "a pertinent observation"?

You can use alternatives such as "a relevant point", "a key insight", or "a significant remark" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a pertinent observation"?

It is appropriate in formal or semi-formal settings when you want to highlight the relevance and insightfulness of a comment or finding. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler language would be more fitting.

Is there a difference between "a relevant observation" and "a pertinent observation"?

While both phrases suggest the observation is related to the topic at hand, "a pertinent observation" implies a higher degree of relevance and insightfulness compared to "a relevant observation". "Pertinent" suggests the observation is particularly important and directly applicable.