germane to the topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "germane to the topic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is relevant or pertinent to the subject at hand. Example: "The research findings presented in the report are germane to the topic of climate change and its impact on agriculture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The contrast between supervenience and the closely-related notion of entailment, discussed in section 3.2 of the entry on, is especially germane to the topic of this subsection).

SEP

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

As long as amendments are "reasonably germane" to the topic of an initiative, they are allowed, even if they are added after the end of a 30-day public comment period, the court said.

Los Angeles Times

But if the question is germane to the topic and of interest to the rest of the audience the decision of what to do next comes down to do you know the answer or not.

Huffington Post

In keeping with the research method, interviewees were free to raise any issue that they felt were germane to the topic under investigation.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

By referring to research germane to the subject, NSERC improved the odds of developing guidelines about the postdoc workplace.

Science Magazine

More germane to the discussion topic of this forum are mechanisms and guidelines needed not only to optimize academic opportunities for selected postdocs, but to provide a broad array of rewarding career opportunities for the majority of postdocs who will not ascend to independent positions in the top branches of the tree.

Science Magazine

The GOP ultimately ended her filibuster by citing three instances throughout her speech where she touched on topics "not germane" to the bill (the topics: Planned Parenthood, sonograms and Roe v. Wade).

Huffington Post

We specifically raise the possibility that a target(s) downstream of VMHdm/c, including the dPAG, may act as an emotion center, and cite earlier work germane to this topic as mentioned by the reviewer (in the subsection headed "Are emotion states implemented within VMHdm/c itself, or by downstream structures?).

eLife

While the Lords may not filibuster in the grand tradition of the United States Senate, they can debate until the cows come home, as long as the topic is relatively germane to the bill.

The New York Times

Authors address topics germane to the page's taxon; for instance, the Acanthostega gunnari page has sections on the taxon's phylogenetic position, skull, sensory organs, postcranial skeleton, and paleoecology and lifestyle (see Figs. 2 and 3).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "germane to the topic", ensure that the connection between the information and the main subject is clear and easily understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid assuming that any vaguely related information is "germane to the topic". Ensure it directly contributes to the discussion or analysis at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "germane to the topic" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is relevant, pertinent, or closely related to a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "germane to the topic" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate relevance or pertinence to a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in science, news, media, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the connection between the information and the topic is clear. Remember to consider alternative, simpler phrases like "relevant" or "related" in more informal settings. It's worth remembering that, as Ludwig's examples show, the phrase is often used in legal and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant to the subject matter

This alternative directly replaces "germane" with "relevant" and restructures the prepositional phrase slightly.

pertinent to the issue at hand

This phrase uses "pertinent" as a synonym for "germane" and specifies the subject as "the issue at hand".

applicable to the matter in question

This alternative uses "applicable" to convey relevance and emphasizes that the matter is under consideration.

related to the theme under discussion

This option employs "related" as a broader term for relevance and refers to the subject as "the theme under discussion".

apropos to the matter being considered

This alternative uses "apropos", a more formal synonym of "relevant", and emphasizes the act of consideration.

connected to the subject at hand

This phrase utilizes "connected" to suggest a link to the main topic of conversation.

bearing on the point in question

This alternative suggests that the information has an impact on the central argument.

associated with the issue being addressed

This option uses "associated" to indicate a relationship to the topic being spoken about.

linked to the current subject

This phrase is a simpler way of saying that something is connected to the subject.

intrinsic to the problem being examined

This alternative suggests that the element is fundamental or essential to understanding the problem.

FAQs

What does "germane to the topic" mean?

The phrase "germane to the topic" means relevant or pertinent to the subject being discussed. It indicates that something is closely related and important to the matter at hand.

How can I use "germane to the topic" in a sentence?

You can use "germane to the topic" to describe information, arguments, or evidence that is directly related and important to the subject being discussed. For example: "The research findings presented in the report are "relevant to the subject matter" of climate change and its impact on agriculture."

What are some alternatives to "germane to the topic"?

Some alternatives to "germane to the topic" include "relevant to the subject matter", "pertinent to the issue at hand", and "applicable to the matter in question". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "germane to the topic" formal or informal?

"Germane to the topic" is considered a more formal expression. In informal settings, you might prefer using simpler alternatives like "relevant" or "related".