how topical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how topical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relevant or pertinent to current events or discussions. Example: "The speaker's comments on climate change were particularly striking, highlighting how topical the issue has become in recent months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"What is extraordinary about Mary's work is how topical it is.

The Guardian - Books

When EMI and Simon Rattle planned the release of this collection, they can have hardly imagined how topical its appearance would be.

The Guardian - Music

He didn't know 10 years ago how topical these questions would become, in a Europe still reeling after the Paris attacks.

The Guardian - Arts

It will be fascinating to see how topical (and how strong) his Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps turns out to be?

Independent

Indeed, last year when two old plays of mine were revived in succession in London, it was interesting to find so many people at each remarking on how topical both plays now seemed.

The Guardian

Nottage couldn't have predicted how topical the play would become or how disturbingly certain lines would resonate, as when Cynthia, revealing the friction between management and labor, announces: "Now you know.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And how unexpectedly topical were Peshwari's "Examiner orders retest" and steveran's "Doctor time reset – one points at Hunt".

The Guardian

To be sure, James Lapine, the director of the coming revival, said he did not want to restage the original production, which he never saw, but rather wanted to "showcase to great effect a wonderful score and story and also to show how oddly topical 'Annie' is," with its Depression-era themes about struggle and survival.

The New York Times

The reason there are large discrepancies between the approaches is due to how Min Min Topical algebra calculates SRL.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

I was impressed, considering how increasingly topical it is becoming in 2014.

Vice

The use of the finger tip unit may be helpful in guiding how much topical treatment to use.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how topical" to emphasize the immediate relevance of a subject, argument, or artistic work to current events or discussions. This can add weight to your writing by demonstrating the issue's significance in the present moment.

Common error

Avoid using "how topical" excessively in casual or informal settings. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious. Instead, consider simpler alternatives like "how relevant" or "how important" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how topical" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a relative clause. It modifies a statement by emphasizing the degree to which something is relevant to current events or discussions. As shown by Ludwig, it often introduces a clause explaining why something matters now.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how topical" is used to emphasize the relevance and pertinence of a subject to current events. It functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a relative clause, is generally found in neutral to professional contexts, and according to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct. While not overly common, the phrase is particularly useful for highlighting the immediate significance of an issue. Consider using alternatives like "how relevant" or "how timely" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how relevant

Focuses on the direct applicability and significance to the current situation.

how pertinent

Emphasizes the direct and clear connection to the matter at hand.

how timely

Highlights the opportune or appropriate timing of something.

how crucial

Stresses the essential or critical nature of the subject in the present context.

how significant

Indicates the importance and impact of something at the current moment.

how important

Highlights the weight and value of something in the present context.

to what extent is it relevant

Asks about the degree to which it is related to the current situation.

to what degree is it timely

Asks to which degree something is in time.

how up-to-date

Focuses on the novelty and currency of the information or subject.

how current

Highlights the present-day relevance of a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "how topical" in a sentence?

You can use "how topical" to emphasize the immediate relevance of a subject to current events. For example: "The play's themes highlight "how topical" the issue of social inequality remains."

What are some alternatives to using "how topical"?

Alternatives to "how topical" include "how relevant", "how pertinent", or "how timely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how topical" formal or informal?

"How topical" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, or professional reports. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What does "how topical" emphasize in writing?

"How topical" emphasizes the immediate relevance and significance of a subject in relation to current events or discussions. It highlights that the topic is particularly important or pressing at the present moment.