extraneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "extraneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective describing something that is unnecessary or irrelevant, such as "The instructions included some extraneous information that didn't apply to our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On a number of assignments towards the end of her career – her frailness forced her to relax an absolute ban on extraneous people – I was lucky enough to go with her.

The Guardian - Arts

Increased frailty toward the end of Jane's lengthycareer forced her to relax a lifelong prohibition on having anybody extraneous with her on a shoot, and I often got the call.

The Guardian - Arts

However the ending to Blackadder Goes Forth was so perfectly executed that any latter-day addition to the Blackadder story could seem extraneous.

The Guardian - Film

I did have one author say: "What is this, the adverb police?" He was really irritated because I moved a few extraneous adverbs.

The Guardian - Books

After all, even the synthetic pop is beginning to feel extraneous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seemed not only extraneous, but decadent.

The Guardian - Opinion

While your correspondent is a firm believer in not tinkering with the Windows registry, he has long relied on a free utility called Revo Uninstaller to dig out all the extraneous files, folders and registry items left behind after a program has been uninstalled.

The Economist

If they fail to do that, the PA can call up the FC to weigh collective punishments against the offending tribe, for example by taking prisoners or bulldozing houses.On occasion the PA may take notice of extraneous crimes, including the blood-feuds that are a fact of Pushtun life—"We would never allow two tribes to fight each other indefinitely," says Mr Shah.

The Economist

And even if the $14.5 billion is reinstated at a later stage, it could still be stalled through the introduction of extraneous issues or attempts to attach impossible conditions to its approval.The biggest and most outrageous such issue is wholly unrelated: abortion.

The Economist

The trouble, they say, is that voters in different countries have different, conflicting (and often extraneous) concerns.

The Economist

"He needs to get rid of extra weight, and is starting to throw some extraneous people overboard".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, rigorously review your writing to eliminate any "extraneous" words or phrases that do not contribute meaningfully to the core message. This enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

While "extraneous" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal documents where simpler terms like "unnecessary" or "irrelevant" might be clearer and more direct. Consider your audience and the overall tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "extraneous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are not essential or relevant to the matter at hand. Ludwig shows how it is used to describe elements that are additional, foreign, or simply not needed in a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extraneous" functions as an adjective denoting something unnecessary or irrelevant. As indicated by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is frequent across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While synonymous with terms like "irrelevant" and "unnecessary", "extraneous" carries a slightly more formal tone. When employing "extraneous" in your writing, prioritize conciseness by identifying and eliminating non-essential elements for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Irrelevant

Focuses on the lack of direct connection or importance to the matter at hand.

Unnecessary

Highlights that something is not needed or required.

Superfluous

Emphasizes that something is beyond what is sufficient or required.

Redundant

Indicates that something is repetitive and therefore unnecessary.

Immaterial

Suggests that something has no significance or relevance.

Nonessential

Directly points out that something is not crucial or vital.

Inapplicable

Highlights that something is not suitable or relevant to a particular situation.

Peripheral

Indicates that something is on the edge of importance or relevance.

Inconsequential

Emphasizes that something is of little or no importance.

Tangential

Suggests a slight or indirect connection, often straying from the main point.

FAQs

How can I use "extraneous" in a sentence?

The word "extraneous" describes something that is not essential or relevant. For example, "The report was cluttered with "unnecessary details" and "extraneous" information".

What is a simpler word for "extraneous"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "extraneous" with simpler words like "irrelevant", "unnecessary", or "superfluous".

What does "extraneous" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "extraneous" refers to evidence or factors that are not directly related to the case or argument at hand. It suggests that the information is "inadmissible" or "immaterial".

Is "extraneous" the same as "extrinsic"?

While both words relate to being outside something, "extraneous" means not essential or relevant, whereas "extrinsic" means external or originating from outside. "Extraneous" details are "unnecessary", while extrinsic motivation comes from "external rewards".