an irrelevant issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an irrelevant issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic or matter that is not pertinent or applicable to the current discussion or situation. Example: "During the meeting, we spent too much time discussing an irrelevant issue that did not affect our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"But it's an irrelevant issue anyway," Mr. Hattaway added.

The New York Times

When I moved to Uganda four and a half years ago, homosexuality seemed to be almost an irrelevant issue.

The New Yorker

Mr. King said later that he understood the impact an "irrelevant issue" might have on an election.

The New York Times

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet When I moved to Uganda four and a half years ago, homosexuality seemed to be almost an irrelevant issue.

The New Yorker

If you have a parliamentary system, you're just debating an irrelevant issue, because in a parliamentary system the role of the President becomes minuscule.

The New Yorker

Eventually, the Knicks may get around to fixing their defense, but it was an irrelevant issue Thursday night as Douglas led a historic 3-point shooting barrage in a 120-99 rofthef the Memphis Grizzlies.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He adds that David Cameron's renegotiation, which focused largely on the "irrelevant" issue of "benefit tourism", had not changed that.

The Guardian

The very next day, however, a House vote cast doubt over the prospects for passage of COMPETES reauthorization, and the following week, the bill was defeated over Republicans concerns about spending and partisan election-year maneuvering involving the irrelevant issue of pornography.

Science Magazine

This irrelevant issue formed the main impetus of motivation for this terrorist to embark in fights in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Huffington Post

Students now supply their opinions on a host of irrelevant issues and are harassed into believing that their satisfaction should maintain a constant 100%.

The Guardian

And 6) "Bring up irrelevant issues as frequently as possible".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an irrelevant issue" to clearly signal that a topic is not worth further consideration in the current context. This helps to streamline discussions and focus on more pertinent matters.

Common error

While "an irrelevant issue" is widely understood, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise and nuanced alternatives like "tangential point" or "immaterial consideration" to convey a greater degree of sophistication and specificity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "an irrelevant issue" is as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It describes or identifies a particular subject as being unimportant or not pertinent in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an irrelevant issue" is a grammatically sound phrase used to dismiss a topic as unimportant or unrelated to the current context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While commonly found in news, media, and science, it's advisable to use more formal synonyms in academic or business settings for enhanced precision. Consider using alternatives like "a trivial concern" or "an immaterial point" when a more nuanced expression is required. When used appropriately, this phrase can efficiently streamline discussions by focusing attention on more pertinent subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a non-essential matter

Focuses on the lack of necessity or importance.

an unimportant detail

Highlights the lack of significance in the given context.

a trivial concern

Emphasizes the minor and insignificant nature of the matter.

a beside the point matter

Indicates that the issue is not relevant to the current discussion.

an inconsequential item

Stresses the lack of consequence or impact.

a peripheral aspect

Suggests the issue is on the edge and not central to the topic.

a tangential subject

Indicates a slight deviation from the main point.

a secondary consideration

Implies the issue should be considered only after more important matters.

an immaterial point

Stresses the lack of relevance or importance to the situation.

a negligible factor

Highlights that the issue has a minimal effect or influence.

FAQs

What does "an irrelevant issue" mean?

The phrase "an irrelevant issue" refers to a topic or matter that is not important or related to the current discussion or situation. It signifies that the issue is not worth considering in the given context.

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

You can use "an irrelevant issue" to dismiss a topic as unimportant. For example: "During the meeting, we spent too much time discussing "a non-essential matter" that did not affect our project timeline."

What can I say instead of "an irrelevant issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a trivial concern", "an unimportant detail", or "a beside the point matter" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an irrelevant issue" in formal writing?

While "an irrelevant issue" is acceptable, for formal writing, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives such as "a tangential subject" or "an immaterial point".