completely off topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'completely off topic' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that the topic of conversation has changed drastically and is no longer related to the current discussion. For example: "The discussion so far has been about the new software, but let's go completely off topic and talk about the new movie that released in theaters this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Completely off topic, but my favorite ever charity cricket match was a World XI vs Norfolk Select side," says Steven Blowers.

The Guardian - Sport

And now for something completely off topic I have become slightly obsessed with video of snakes eating things.

The Guardian

It's particularly bad when he comes out with something completely off topic, like asking me about something he wants from our flat when we've been talking about Game of Thrones, so I'm going in cold without any clues as to what he's on about.

Independent

Completely off topic.

TechCrunch

This is completely off topic, but earlier today I was wondering if Google would eventually turn into Skynet.

TechCrunch

Ask about sports or something else that's completely off topic.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The editors who review all comments before they go up let most of them go through, eliminating only those that are vulgar, nonsensical or completely off-topic.

The New York Times

Schaaf is hoping that they'll be funny or clever, without going completely off-topic or losing sight of Imgur's focus on "niceness".

TechCrunch

glommed on to Paul's filibuster to attempt to make some completely off-topic remarks about the deficit, observers took to Twitter with calls to give Johnson the hook.

Huffington Post

Questions ranged from the boring ("How does it feel to be a winner?") to the completely off-topic ("Are you able to attend this teeny-tiny press event in Timbuktu next week?") to the provocative ("Did you like the Boob song?") to the very direct ("Are you impressed with yourself?").

Huffington Post

Make sure all of your corrections are completely off-topic or incorrect.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely off topic" sparingly to signal a genuine shift in conversation, avoiding abrupt or confusing transitions for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "completely off topic" as a justification for introducing irrelevant or poorly thought-out ideas. Ensure the new direction is still valuable or engaging for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely off topic" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a transition to an unrelated subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's used to alert the audience to a change in direction, often to introduce a new, unconnected point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely off topic" is a common and grammatically correct way to signal a shift to an unrelated subject in conversation or writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves as a discourse marker to manage expectations and prevent confusion. Usage spans various contexts, including news, media, and informal communication, but careful and intentional application is essential. Remember to ensure any deviation, signaled by "completely off topic", remains engaging or valuable to the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not relevant

Directly states that something does not relate to the current topic.

Irrelevant to the discussion

States explicitly that something is not pertinent to the current conversation.

Unconnected to the subject

Stresses the absence of a link between the current topic and another.

Entirely unrelated

Focuses on the lack of connection between two things, emphasizing complete irrelevance.

Diverging from the main topic

Emphasizes the action of moving away from the primary subject.

Beside the point

Highlights that something is not relevant to the matter being discussed.

An aside

Indicates a brief departure from the main subject.

Straying from the subject

Implies wandering away from the core topic at hand.

Tangential to the matter

Suggests a slight connection but emphasizes deviation from the main topic.

A digression

Highlights a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

FAQs

How can I introduce a topic that is "completely off topic" gracefully?

Acknowledge the shift. For example, you might say, "Completely off topic, but I was wondering..." or "Changing the subject entirely, have you heard about...?"

What's the difference between "off topic" and "completely off topic"?

"Completely off topic" emphasizes a more significant deviation from the current discussion than simply "off topic". It signals a stark change in subject matter.

When is it appropriate to say something is "completely off topic"?

It's appropriate when introducing a subject that has no direct relation to the current conversation and you want to flag that change for your audience.

Are there more formal ways to say "completely off topic"?

In more formal settings, you might use phrases like "entirely unrelated" or "a digression, but…" depending on the specific context.