irrelevance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irrelevance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is not relevant or applicable to the matter at hand. Example: "The discussion about the weather was an irrelevance to the main topic of our meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Irish people's anger and disillusionment may have thrown a lifeline to Sinn Féin and rescued the party from total irrelevance in the Republic but its united Ireland project is more unrealisable than ever.

The Guardian

Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, has said that Labour must shake off its "austerity-lite" mantra and put forward a "radical vision of hope" at the next election or risk losing union support and becoming an irrelevance on the fringes of British politics.

The Guardian

It is, for one, a supreme irrelevance to an electorate more concerned about living standards.

The Guardian

As a speaker in the Commons he often seemed to deploy a fiercely private logic, yet his carefully articulated, pedantic performances could make irrelevance sound prophetic.

The Guardian

Writing in Progress magazine, Pat McFadden, the shadow Europe minister, warned: "It would be a huge mistake for Labour to consign itself to irrelevance on the critical issue of the country's future membership of the EU or the wider issue of how Britain sees its world role.

The Guardian

What is the point at which a museum, at some quiet, unmarked moment, stops being a questioning, contemplative space at the heart of its city's intellectual and imaginative life, and becomes an irrelevance?

The Guardian

He, like the majority of his team-mates, was an irrelevance.

The Guardian - Sport

As across Scotland, the 2010 results in Edinburgh West are an historical irrelevance.

The Guardian

Wales must now have a similar political moment – not so Welsh people can indulge in some pro-independence flag-waving, but because being treated as a national irrelevance has tangible and disastrous effects.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was something of an irrelevance.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Once a near-irrelevance, UKIP haunts the thoughts of politicians across Westminster.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether using a stronger, more descriptive word like "inapplicability" or "extraneousness" could provide more nuance, depending on the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "irrelevance" when you actually mean something is incorrect or false. "Irrelevance" refers specifically to a lack of connection, not a lack of truth or accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "irrelevance" is that of a noun. It refers to the state or quality of not being relevant or applicable. It functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing various examples where "irrelevance" is employed to describe something lacking importance or connection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irrelevance" functions as a noun denoting a lack of connection or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in writing, particularly in news and media, and formal business contexts. While it can appear in informal settings, its tone is generally neutral to formal. It is important to remember that "irrelevance" signifies a lack of connection rather than a lack of truth. Alternatives such as "lack of relevance" or "inapplicability" can be used to add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of relevance

Focuses specifically on the absence of a connection or pertinence.

lack of importance

Highlights the absence of significance or value.

inapplicability

Emphasizes the lack of suitability or relevance to a particular situation.

unrelatedness

Focuses on the absence of a relationship or connection.

extraneousness

Suggests being unnecessary or not belonging to the matter at hand.

immateriality

Highlights that something is not pertinent or consequential.

beside the point

An idiomatic expression indicating something is not relevant to the discussion.

of no consequence

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance.

not germane

Formal way of saying not relevant.

unconnectedness

Similar to unrelatedness, focusing on the absence of a link.

FAQs

How can I use "irrelevance" in a sentence?

"Irrelevance" is a noun that indicates a lack of connection or importance. For example, "The speaker dismissed the comment as an "irrelevance" to the main argument."

What's the difference between "irrelevance" and "relevance"?

"Irrelevance" means a lack of connection or importance, while "relevance" signifies a direct connection or significance to the matter at hand. They are antonyms.

What can I say instead of "irrelevance"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of relevance", "inapplicability", or "extraneousness" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something has "irrelevance"?

No, it's not typical to say something 'has irrelevance'. Instead, you would say something 'is an "irrelevance"' or 'lacks relevance'. The term itself denotes the state of being irrelevant.