apropos

USAGE SUMMARY

'apropos' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective or adverb when talking about something that is relevant to the current topic of discussion or situation. For example: "That old photo is apropos to the conversation we just had about our childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Considering how much of Sony's future is riding on the Dash's puny shoulders, "tragically" might be more apropos.

The New York Times - Tech

Bit belated this but, apropos of Rebekah Brooks's appearance at the Leveson inquiry the other week, are Peter Pan collars now over?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In the end it's all about ideas," he offers sagely, apropos of nothing.

The Guardian

While chatting with the owner of an eatery I'm photographing, I'm approached by two large white men, intrigued by my Kiwi accent.After some rugby-related joshing, one, apropos of nothing, places his finger on an ugly 6cm scar along his temple.

The Economist

From Facebook to Twitter, personal opinions litter the blogosphere sometimes in narratives apropos of nothing in particular; other times embedded in comments on the news; and frequently, sad to say, as flagrant plugs by shills masquerading as innocent bystanders.Once we sought advice from friends and family about what, where and when to buy something.

The Economist

The loss of the Bank of Japan's independence to force the direct monetization of deficit spending is the real story.Mr Duy makes his point apropos of a recent Floyd Norris piece.

The Economist

"Will you show me how Gödel's Proof means a brain can't be modelled on a computer?" asks Hilary, apropos of nothing, at one point.

The Economist

YESTERDAY, apropos of news that New Zealand's economy is on the brink of recession, I wrote:If rising transportation costs increase the importance of regional market potential, then the world's remote nations will be the first to suffer.Today, this paper crossed my desk (by which I mean email inbox):There is widespread evidence that a better access to markets contributes to raising income levels.

The Economist

BACK in October, my colleague in Los Angeles wrote, apropos of the government's puchase of a stake in Capital One:Given the importance of small and medium-sized businesses to job creation and productivity, successful efforts to loosen consumer credit could end up a pivot point in restoring the productive economy.

The Economist

The result is stronger polarisation in Congress, with a hollowing out of the political centre.James Seidman Naperville, IllinoisSIR – Your cover of January 29th was very apropos, depicting a map of the American states with corny new names.

The Economist

This week, Mr Fabius, a former prime minister, said he would run for the party's nomination, adding haughtily, apropos of Ms Royal, that "all poll predictions have always been wrong".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apropos" to introduce information that is timely or contextually relevant to the current discussion to add sophistication to your writing.

Common error

While "apropos" can add sophistication, avoid using it in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "by the way" or "regarding" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "apropos" is to act as a preposition or adverb, indicating relevance or timeliness. It introduces information related to the current topic, as seen in Ludwig examples where it links new points to ongoing discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apropos" is a versatile term functioning as a preposition or adverb to denote relevance and timeliness. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for introducing related information, enhancing coherence in discussions. While used across different registers, it leans towards a more formal tone. Its frequent appearance in sources like The Economist, The New Yorker and Encyclopedia Britannica, as per Ludwig, shows its widespread usage. Remember to use "apropos" when you want to indicate a timely or contextually relevant connection to the topic at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant to

Focuses directly on the relevance of something to a specific topic.

pertinent to

Emphasizes the direct and significant relevance of something.

germane to

Highlights the close and logical connection to the matter at hand.

applicable to

Stresses the suitability and applicability of something in a given context.

related to

Indicates a general connection or association with the subject.

concerning

Highlights the subject or topic being addressed.

regarding

Similar to concerning, but may imply a more formal tone.

with reference to

A more formal way of indicating a connection to a topic.

in relation to

Emphasizes the connection between two or more things.

on the subject of

Directly introduces the topic that will be discussed.

FAQs

How can I use "apropos" in a sentence?

You can use "apropos" to introduce a relevant point or observation. For example, "Apropos of your earlier comment, I have some additional data to share".

What can I say instead of "apropos"?

You can use alternatives like "relevant to", "pertinent to", or "regarding" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "apropos of nothing"?

Yes, "apropos of nothing" is a valid phrase used to introduce a seemingly unrelated topic or comment, often for humorous or stylistic effect.

What's the difference between "apropos" and "irrelevant"?

"Apropos" means relevant or appropriate, while "irrelevant" means not connected or pertinent to the matter at hand. They are antonyms.