be pertinent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be pertinent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relevance or appropriateness of information or comments in a particular context. Example: "In our discussion about climate change, all contributions should be pertinent to the topic at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Kip should not be pertinent to her life," she thinks.

The New York Times - Books

But several of its other lessons may be pertinent.

The Economist

It would be pertinent to optimise the velocity of our auto-vehicular components at this time.

The Guardian - Sport

Ferguson had gathered information that she felt could be pertinent to Hood's defense.

The New Yorker

All judges are exposed on a daily basis to information that may be pertinent to the cases under adjudication.

The New York Times

Some of that declassified material could be pertinent to the case, but it is a time-consuming effort, they said.

The Guardian

Government lawyers are trying to assess whether Sergeant Wuterich said anything in the parts of the interview that were not broadcast that would be pertinent to their case.

The New York Times

"In connection with an unrelated case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation," Comey wrote.

The Guardian

"FBI Dir just informed me, 'The FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation,' " Chaffetz's tweet said.

The New Yorker

Infuriatingly, for anyone trying to resist the spread of Mensch, her particular experience of sexism must, unlike her personal style or political attitudes, be pertinent.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Any other questions might be of interest to tabloid journalists but would not be pertinent to the issues involving Ms. Levy now," Mr. Lowell said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be pertinent", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is relevant to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the connection.

Common error

Avoid using "be pertinent" when the connection is tenuous or marginal. Overstating relevance can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be pertinent" functions as a linking verb followed by an adjective, indicating a state of relevance or applicability. Ludwig AI highlights its use in expressing whether something is relevant to a particular subject or matter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

50%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be pertinent" is a versatile phrase used to denote relevance or applicability, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a formal tone suitable for professional communication. Alternatives like "be relevant" and "be applicable" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the subject's relevance is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be relevant

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the connection to the matter at hand.

be applicable

This alternative highlights the suitability and appropriateness of something in a specific situation.

be relevant to

This alternative clearly shows the direct connection or relevance to a particular subject or topic.

be germane

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the close and logical connection to the matter being considered.

be appropriate

This indicates that something is suitable or fitting for the context.

be material

This alternative focuses on the importance and significance of something in a legal or factual context.

be apropos

This alternative suggests that something is highly suitable or relevant to the occasion.

be fitting

This alternative emphasizes that something is suitably matched or aligned with the requirements.

bear upon

This alternative means to have an influence on or to be relevant to something.

have a bearing on

This alternative focuses on the influence or relevance something has on a particular situation or topic.

FAQs

How can I use "be pertinent" in a sentence?

Use "be pertinent" to indicate that something is relevant or applicable to a specific matter. For example, "The witness's testimony may "be pertinent" to the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "be pertinent"?

You can use alternatives like "be relevant", "be applicable", or "be germane" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be pertinent to" or "be relevant to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "be pertinent to" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "be relevant to". Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "be pertinent" and "be important"?

"Be pertinent" emphasizes the relevance or applicability of something to a specific matter, while "be important" indicates significance or value in a broader sense. Information can "be important" without "be pertinent" to a particular issue, and vice versa.