an irrelevant inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an irrelevant inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question or investigation that is not pertinent to the topic at hand. Example: "During the meeting, he raised an irrelevant inquiry that distracted us from the main agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is an irrelevant question.

The Guardian - Music

"That's an irrelevant question.

BBC

The state of Florida, backed by the National Rifle Assn., has asserted that gun owners need protections from "irrelevant inquiry and record-keeping by physicians regarding firearms".

Los Angeles Times

I cannot, however, forbear to comment that if impertinent and irrelevant inquiries of this sort are to become the rule in matters of literature, then the time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride.

Wikipedia

A: Irrelevant.

Huffington Post

Clearly, time isn't an irrelevant thing.

Yale University

"We're now an irrelevant laughingstock".

The New York Times

Flying was dismissed as an irrelevant novelty.

The New York Times - Arts

Now it's an irrelevant concept.

The Guardian

It's an irrelevant cheap shot.

The Washington Post

Quite an irrelevant attack.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an irrelevant inquiry" to dismiss a line of questioning that doesn't contribute to the core issue or decision-making process. This can help maintain focus and prevent distractions during discussions or investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "an irrelevant inquiry" when you actually mean a confidential or private inquiry. Irrelevance refers to a lack of logical connection, while confidentiality relates to the sensitivity of the information being sought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an irrelevant inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, where "irrelevant" modifies the noun "inquiry". This combination is used to describe an investigation or question that lacks pertinence to the current subject. The use of "an" specifies a single instance of such an inquiry.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an irrelevant inquiry" is a phrase used to describe a question or investigation that is not pertinent or significant to the matter at hand. While the phrase itself is grammatically correct, its usage is currently infrequent. According to Ludwig, this phrase aims to dismiss or downplay the significance of an inquiry, marking it as a distraction from the central issue. Related phrases include "a pointless investigation" and "an immaterial inquiry", offering alternative ways to express a similar sentiment. When employing the phrase, ensure that the irrelevance is clearly established and that it is not mistaken for confidentiality or privacy concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pointless investigation

Replaces "irrelevant" with "pointless", emphasizing the lack of purpose.

an immaterial inquiry

Substitutes "irrelevant" with "immaterial", highlighting the lack of significance.

a nonessential inquiry

Replaces "irrelevant" with "nonessential", focusing on the lack of necessity.

an unrelated investigation

Shifts the focus to the lack of connection rather than the importance.

a peripheral inquiry

Highlights that the inquiry is on the margins and not central.

a beside the point question

Changes from inquiry to question to underscore the lack of relevance to the subject at hand

a tangential investigation

Emphasizes the slight connection or diversion from the main topic.

an extraneous inquiry

Stresses that the inquiry is not an integral part of the matter.

a gratuitous investigation

Implies the inquiry is uncalled for and excessive.

a needless inquiry

Focuses on the lack of need or justification for the inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "an irrelevant inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "an irrelevant inquiry" to describe a question or investigation that doesn't pertain to the current subject matter. For example, "His comments were dismissed as "an irrelevant inquiry" that diverted the discussion from the main problem".

What's the difference between "an irrelevant inquiry" and "a redundant inquiry"?

"An irrelevant inquiry" refers to a question that is unrelated or unimportant to the matter at hand. "A redundant inquiry", on the other hand, is a question that repeats information already known or previously discussed.

What are some alternatives to saying "an irrelevant inquiry"?

Alternatives to "an irrelevant inquiry" include phrases like "a pointless question", "an immaterial inquiry", or "an unrelated investigation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "an irrelevant inquiry"?

It is appropriate to use the term "an irrelevant inquiry" when a question or investigation does not have a bearing on the topic being discussed, the problem being solved, or the decision being made. It indicates that the inquiry is off-topic or doesn't contribute meaningfully.