a tangential discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tangential discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a conversation or topic that is related but not central to the main subject being discussed. Example: "During the meeting, we had a tangential discussion about the impact of social media on marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As it often does, Monday morning's weigh-in prompted a tangential discussion among those in attendance and those readers following on Twitter.

The New York Times

While a tangential discussion point, this is not the main idea of this article.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Konrad Osterwalder, who is in charge of teaching and technological development at the university, said the process makes students feel less embarrassed about asking perhaps obvious questions while allowing professors to see how many students have the same question before launching into a perhaps tangential discussion.

The New York Times

This frequently entailed cobbled-together statements and misunderstandings, as well as tangential discussion.

The Guardian

There is even some tangential discussion about the industry's real challenge--maximizing online ad revenue.

Huffington Post

I've found that sharing personal anecdotes, creating analogies to emphasize ideas, and pursuing the occasional tangential discussion are all valuable ways to help students to make connections and better understand core concepts.

Huffington Post

Dumb groups engage in politicking -- they get lost in hours of tangential discussion about Phil's job performance and company absentee policy, and end up filibustering over how "we need some changes around here," all without ever figuring out how to cover for Phil.

Huffington Post

I'll also be choosing a few facts to use as jumping-off points for tangential discussions.

Huffington Post

As such, tangential discussions are encouraged, and panellists are apt to branch off into frivolous conversations, give voice to trains of thought, and share humorous anecdotes from their own lives.

Wikipedia

"If a little bee played baseball," June inquired, "would he need his whole body just to carry the ball?" Springboarding off June's contribution, Jason, age eight, then introduced a tangential line of questioning that put the discussion into deeper perspective.

The New Yorker

"This is not a tangential issue," Mr. Heidinger said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tangential discussion" to signal that the topic is related but not the primary focus of the conversation. This helps manage expectations and maintain focus on the main subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a tangential discussion" when the topic is entirely unrelated to the main subject. Ensure there's at least some connection, however minor, to justify the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tangential discussion" functions as a noun phrase, where "tangential" modifies the noun "discussion". It describes the nature of the discussion, indicating it is related but not central to the main subject. As Ludwig AI underlines, the examples show the phrase in various contexts, fitting grammatically.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tangential discussion" refers to a conversation that is related but not central to the main topic. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, although its frequency is rare. It's most commonly found in news and media, academic settings, and scientific articles. The phrase is a neutral expression, useful for qualifying the type of conversation taking place and informing the audience that the discussion is of secondary importance. When writing, ensure the topic is at least somewhat related to avoid misusing the term. Consider alternatives like "an off-topic discussion" or "a side conversation" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an off-topic discussion

Directly states that the discussion deviated from the intended subject.

a peripheral conversation

Replaces "tangential" with "peripheral", emphasizing the secondary importance of the conversation.

an irrelevant discussion

Substitutes "tangential" with "irrelevant", highlighting the lack of direct connection to the main topic.

a digressive conversation

Emphasizes the departure from the main topic, using "digressive" instead of "tangential".

a side conversation

A more informal way of saying "a tangential discussion", implying a smaller, related conversation.

an incidental discussion

Uses "incidental" to convey that the discussion was not the main focus.

a related but not central discussion

Expresses the idea of being related but not the main point.

a parenthetical discussion

Implies the discussion is an aside, much like information in parentheses.

a somewhat related discussion

Highlights the weaker connection to the main topic of discussion.

a marginally relevant discussion

Suggests that the topic is only slightly connected.

FAQs

What does "a tangential discussion" mean?

It refers to a conversation that is related to the main topic but not central to it. It's a side conversation that touches upon the primary subject without being the main focus.

How can I use "a tangential discussion" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a conversation that veers slightly off the main topic, such as: "During the presentation, we had "a tangential discussion" about budget allocation."

What can I say instead of "a tangential discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "an off-topic discussion", "a peripheral conversation", or "a side conversation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to have "a tangential discussion" in a formal setting?

It depends. If the tangential points are relevant and contribute to a better understanding of the main topic, it can be acceptable. However, it's important to keep it brief and avoid derailing the main agenda.