beside the point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beside the point" is an expression that can be used in written English.
It is used to mean that a subject or issue is irrelevant or not relevant to the current discussion. For example, "I don't understand why you brought up your test scores--that seems beside the point".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's beside the point".

The New York Times - Arts

Dessert is beside the point.

The New York Times

True--but beside the point.

The Economist

That is beside the point.

The New York Times

But that's beside the point.

The New York Times - Magazine

Plot is beside the point.

The New York Times - Books

Why is beside the point.

The New York Times - Books

Guest: That's beside the point.

The New York Times

But definitive is beside the point.

The New York Times - Arts

His opponents always seemed beside the point.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But those are beside-the-point points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beside the point" to politely redirect a conversation that's straying from the main topic. It's a concise way to indicate irrelevance without being overly critical or dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "besides the point" when you mean "beside the point". "Besides" means 'in addition to', while "beside" in this context means 'not relevant to'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beside the point" functions as an adjectival phrase or adverbial phrase, depending on context. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something is irrelevant or not pertinent to the current discussion, acting as a qualifier to dismiss or downplay the significance of a particular element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beside the point" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is irrelevant to the current discussion. As Ludwig highlights, it’s grammatically correct and very common, especially in News & Media. To use it effectively, ensure you're not confusing it with "besides". Remember, this phrase serves to redirect focus and streamline conversations by dismissing irrelevant details. Consider alternatives like "irrelevant to the discussion" or "immaterial to the matter" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not the point

A shorter, more direct way of saying something is irrelevant.

beside the question

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the irrelevance to a specific question.

irrelevant to the discussion

Focuses more on the irrelevance in relation to an ongoing conversation.

immaterial to the matter

Emphasizes the lack of consequence or importance of something.

not pertinent to the issue

Highlights the lack of direct connection or relevance to a specific issue.

unrelated to the topic

Stresses the absence of a connection to the subject being discussed.

not germane to the subject

Uses more formal language to convey a lack of relevance.

off the mark

Indicates that something is inaccurate or misguided in relation to the topic.

a moot point

Suggests that the issue is no longer worth discussing or is purely academic.

a non-issue

Highlights the lack of significance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "beside the point" in a sentence?

Use "beside the point" to indicate that a piece of information or an argument is irrelevant to the current discussion. For example, "Whether or not he apologized is "beside the point"; the damage has already been done."

What are some alternatives to saying "beside the point"?

You can use phrases like "irrelevant to the discussion", "immaterial to the matter", or "not pertinent to the issue" as alternatives to "beside the point".

Is it correct to say "besides the point" instead of "beside the point"?

No, "besides the point" is not correct when you intend to express that something is irrelevant. "Besides" means 'in addition to', so "besides the point" would mean 'in addition to the main issue', changing the meaning entirely. The correct phrase is "beside the point".

What's the difference between "irrelevant" and "beside the point"?

"Irrelevant" is a general term for something not connected or pertinent to the matter at hand. "Beside the point" specifically indicates that something is not relevant to the current discussion or argument, often used to redirect or refocus the conversation.