germane conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "germane conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation that is relevant or pertinent to the topic at hand. Example: "During the meeting, we had a germane conversation about the project's future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trying to get a handle on how the upheaval in his life has affected his game is certainly fair, more germane to the conversation, and the A.P. reported that Woods responded to that line of questioning with a frank answer.

The New York Times

"It is particularly germane for these conversations to appear on exhibit today because visitors can hear how he reached across the aisle".

The New York Times

But this time, I'll argue here, the Persons Case couldn't be more germane to the current constitutional conversation on this side of the border.

The New York Times

What Congress doesn't realize, however, is that the special inspector general's report is entirely relevant and completely germane to the cost-cutting conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

To hear the 35 year old dialogue about how Broadway is shrinking, shows are going away, there's no security in the entertainment industry the conversation is as germane today as then except now it applies to all industries.

Huffington Post

Earlier this year, Judge Richard J. Sullivan rebuked law enforcement officials for monitoring an intimate call between a trader and his wife, a conversation that was not germane to the trader's case.

The New York Times

And yet New York's emerging wireless citizens, like the cellphone users before them, would certainly have been germane to his studies of street-corner conversations, plaza footpaths and spatial relations.

The New York Times

Nothing guarantees that the contribution with the greatest number of contextual effects per unit processing cost is: required by the accepted purpose of the conversation; true or justified, and thus informative; germane to the topic of the conversation (relevant in the ordinary sense); or perspicuous and brief (lengthy formulations are permitted as long as they have enough implications).

SEP

I did so only after my two conditions were met: first, that Mr. Libby voluntarily relieve me in writing and by phone of my promise to protect our conversations; and second, that the special prosecutor limit his questions only to those germane to the Valerie Plame Wilson case.

The New York Times

The response that followed sounded unscripted, in the moment, as if he were really trying to answer a question with intelligent conversation that explained more about what was going on in the Pennsylvania communities than what was germane to his political agenda.

Huffington Post

I'll leave aside the question of whether The Churchill Bust Incident is germane to the current conversation politics is a zero-sum game and just stick to the facts of that dustup for the benefit of readers without an ironclad memory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "germane conversation", ensure that the context clearly establishes the topic to which the conversation is relevant.

Common error

While "germane" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual settings. In everyday conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "relevant" or "related" to avoid sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "germane conversation" functions as an adjective-noun pair, where "germane" modifies "conversation" to specify its quality of being relevant and pertinent to a specific topic. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "germane conversation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a discussion that is particularly relevant and important to a specific topic. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is usable in written English, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "relevant discussion" or "pertinent dialogue". The key takeaway is to use "germane conversation" when emphasizing the direct and significant connection of a discussion to the matter at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

germane discussion

Removes the 'conversation' noun, which can sometimes be implied.

relevant discussion

Focuses on the direct relevance of the discussion to the topic.

pertinent dialogue

Emphasizes the direct and significant connection of the dialogue.

on-topic conversation

Highlights that the conversation stays focused on the relevant topic.

applicable discussion

Highlights the applicability and suitability of the discussion.

focused discussion

Indicates a discussion with a clear and relevant direction.

apropos exchange

Stresses the timeliness and appropriateness of the exchange.

appropriate conversation

Suggests that the conversation is fitting and suitable for the context.

related dialogue

Focuses on the connection between the dialogue and the subject matter.

suitable discussion

Emphasizes that the discussion is well-suited for the given situation.

FAQs

How can I use "germane conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "germane conversation" to describe a discussion that is relevant and pertinent to the matter at hand. For example, "During the meeting, we had a "germane conversation" about the project's future direction."

What can I say instead of "germane conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "relevant discussion", "pertinent dialogue", or "applicable discussion" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "germane conversation" and "relevant conversation"?

"Germane conversation" implies a higher degree of importance and direct connection to the core issue, whereas "relevant conversation" simply means the discussion is related to the topic.

Is "germane conversation" suitable for formal or informal settings?

"Germane conversation" is more appropriate for formal or professional settings where precise and sophisticated language is valued. In informal settings, simpler terms like "relevant discussion" may be preferable.