a tangential point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tangential point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a point or argument that is related to the main topic but not central to it. Example: "While discussing the main issue, she made a tangential point about the historical context that was interesting but not directly relevant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mullan's usage brings up a tangential point: Britons use homeliness for what we would call homeyness.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Telegraph also raised a tangential point that struck a couple of other papers about the "shadowy and allegedly independent body" known as the Honours Forfeiture Committee.

The Guardian

This may seem a tangential point, but in fact, I think it's at the heart of what I'm saying, and why you find it so hard to swallow.

University of California, Berkeley

First, the three-dimensional Green's function for a tangential point force on the surface of coated structure combined with orthotropic piezoelectric coating and orthotropic elastic substrate is presented in the form of elementary functions based on the general solution method.

International Journal of Mechanical Sciences

The 0.08° difference in the orientation yields a 2.9-km difference at a tangential point of 90 km in altitude.

Earth, Planets and Space

Each symbol in Fig. 6 corresponds to a single sounding taken over a tangential point within 200 km of 48°N, 145°E for each swath.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The ethics of allowing faith-based groups to have a central role in healthcare provision have been well rehearsed: there's an interesting tangential point, here, when you look at the other work undertaken by charities lining up to do abortion counselling.

The Guardian - Opinion

For (i=0, 1), let (H_{i}) be a horocyclic with tangential point at (x_{i}) and (H_{infty}^{i}subset mathbb {H}) be a horocyclic with tangential point at infinity.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

And yet I must confess that there were a few tangential points in von Junzt's account that caused me some misgiving.

The New Yorker

Interestingly, Ng localization at the extrasynaptic membrane (within the spine) reveals a non-uniform distribution, in which there is a minimal concentration midway between the PSD edge and the furthest tangential point (Supplementary Figure 6C), an area within the spine that is well characterized as the endocytic zone (Blanpied et al, 2002; Racz et al, 2004; Lu et al, 2007).

EMBO Journal

It proposes an optimal combination of calculating the tangential point amount and skip point amount to make the pattern distribution even and keep the minimal adjusting angle.

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tangential point", clearly signal to your audience that you are aware it's a deviation from the main topic. This can be done with phrases like "on a related note" or "by the way".

Common error

Avoid getting lost in tangential points to the detriment of your main argument. Ensure the digression serves a clear purpose and doesn't overshadow your central message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tangential point" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces an idea or detail that is related to the main topic but not directly central to it, often serving as a form of digression or additional context. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tangential point" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce ideas related to the main subject but not central to it. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. While not highly frequent, it appears commonly in news, scientific, and academic writing. Alternatives like "a peripheral issue" or "a related aside" can provide similar meaning. When employing this phrase, ensure it enhances rather than distracts from your core argument, and clearly signal its digressive nature to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a peripheral issue

Emphasizes the issue's lack of centrality.

a secondary consideration

Highlights that the point is less important than the primary focus.

a related aside

Focuses on the point being a digression that is still connected to the main topic.

a digressive remark

Highlights the point as a departure from the main subject.

an incidental detail

Underscores the point's minor significance.

a scarcely relevant detail

Highlights the point's minimal relevance to the current discussion.

a somewhat unrelated matter

Shows the point's limited connection to the main topic.

a loosely connected idea

Suggests the point has a weak association with the core subject.

a marginally pertinent aspect

Indicates a slight degree of relevance.

a subsidiary matter

Focuses on the point being secondary or subordinate to the primary issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tangential point" to introduce information that is related to the main topic but not essential to it. For example: "While discussing the budget, she raised "a tangential point" about environmental concerns".

What's the difference between "a tangential point" and "a central point"?

"A central point" is the main idea or argument, while ""a tangential point"" is a related but less important idea that branches off from the main topic.

What are some synonyms for "a tangential point"?

Alternatives to ""a tangential point"" include "a peripheral issue", "a secondary consideration", or "a related aside".

Is it always necessary to include tangential points in writing?

No, tangential points are not always necessary. They can enrich the writing by providing context or additional information, but they should be used judiciously and not detract from the main focus. If the tangential point is too distracting, it's best to omit it or address it separately.