germane topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "germane topic" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing subjects that are relevant or pertinent to a particular issue or context. For example, "The discussion shifted to a germane topic that addressed the core issues at hand." Alternative expressions include "relevant subject" and "pertinent issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That black composers are poorly represented in mainstream concerts is a germane topic of discussion but one beyond the scope of a single concert review.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not all germane topics are discussed employers must address safety and ergonomic issues within the workplace as well as those that a successful OMP is designed to address.

Orthopedic Clinics of North America

The editors juxtapose listings of the facilities, special attractions and dangers of each site with short articles on clamming, riptides, marine-ammal protection and other germane topics.

Los Angeles Times

Four domains, 10 subdomains and a pool of 62 items were generated for the Stroke-PROM based on consulting relevant literature, examining other questionnaires, and interviewing 10 patients to ensure that all germane topics were included.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

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

Following this, some details on fiber and textile science and engineering are discussed and biological concepts germane to our topic are presented.

Engineered Biomimicry

I'll focus on excerpts from Global Trends then move from that to pose some questions that I think are germane to the topic of our conference.

Stanford University

As they work through the specific materials germane to the topic at hand, students are taught how to conceive of historical problems, to derive questions with which to address them, to employ strategies for doing research, to analyze and interpret, and to organize and present their findings.

Princeton University

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "germane topic", ensure the context clearly establishes the subject to which it's relevant. This clarifies its importance and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "germane topic" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone may sound pretentious or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "germane topic" functions as an adjective-noun combination used to describe a subject that is relevant and pertinent to a particular context. Ludwig indicates the phrase is appropriate for use but not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "germane topic" is a phrase used to describe a subject that's relevant and pertinent. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct, though not frequently used. Its formal tone makes it more suitable for academic, scientific, or professional contexts. When using this phrase, make sure the relevance of the topic is clear to the audience. While "germane topic" isn't incorrect, there are more common alternatives such as "relevant subject" or "pertinent issue" that might be preferred depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant subject

Replaces 'germane' with 'relevant', focusing on the direct applicability to the matter at hand.

pertinent issue

Substitutes both words to highlight the significance and direct relation of the issue.

applicable subject

Changes 'germane' to 'applicable', stressing the fitness of the subject to the context.

fitting subject

Replaces 'germane' with 'fitting', highlighting the suitability of the topic.

appropriate issue

Changes both words to convey a sense of correctness and suitability for the situation.

essential subject

Highlights the necessity and importance of the topic.

related matter

Replaces both words to generally indicate a connection to the current discussion.

connected theme

Replaces both words emphasizing the link or association with the main subject.

central issue

Replaces both words to focus on the topic's critical and core nature.

apropos theme

Swaps both terms with more formal synonyms, elevating the tone and indicating appropriateness.

FAQs

What does "germane topic" mean?

A "germane topic" is a subject that is relevant, appropriate, or closely related to the matter at hand. It implies a direct and significant connection to the current discussion or issue.

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

You can use "germane topic" to describe subjects that are directly related and important to the discussion. For example: "The discussion shifted to a "relevant subject" that addressed the core issues at hand."

What are some alternatives to "germane topic"?

Alternatives include "relevant subject", "pertinent issue", or "applicable subject". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "germane topic" formal or informal?

The term "germane" is relatively formal. Therefore, "germane topic" is best suited for formal writing, academic discussions, or professional settings. It's less common in everyday conversation.