irrelevant questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irrelevant questions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to questions that do not pertain to the topic at hand or are not applicable in a given context. Example: "During the meeting, several participants raised irrelevant questions that distracted from the main agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Combine the real questioning with irrelevant questions, leading the suspect into believing you have something on your mind.

WikiHow

After each session, the system analyzes its questioning, deduces how it could have obtained each conclusion without asking irrelevant questions, and records the relevant questions and answers in so-called processed dialogues.

Artificial Intelligence

There were the familiar, irrelevant questions: How do you find an agent?

The New York Times - Books

And of course there's those who ask obscure and irrelevant questions.

The Guardian - Books

There are legitimate questions about how well the personnel fits the offense, but they are wholly irrelevant questions until the lineup is actually intact.

The New York Times - Sports

He began by asking Ms. Crepps irrelevant questions about which abortion procedures might be involved and the relative frequency of each.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is an irrelevant question.

The Guardian - Music

Targeted assassinations, he added, were "an irrelevant question".

The Guardian

It seems a bizarre and irrelevant question to ask.

The Guardian - Arts

"I never worry too much about that question because it's an irrelevant question.

The Guardian - Tech

It's an irrelevant question because it's not valid," Richard confusingly decides.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conducting interviews or surveys, prioritize questions directly related to your objective. Eliminating "irrelevant questions" ensures efficient use of time and resources, maintaining respondent engagement.

Common error

Avoid including questions that are only marginally connected to the main topic. Even seemingly related questions can distract from the core issues and dilute the quality of the information gathered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irrelevant questions" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "irrelevant" modifies the noun "questions". This phrase typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, as seen in many Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irrelevant questions" is a common noun phrase used to describe inquiries that are off-topic or inconsequential. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. To maintain focus and efficiency in communication, it is advisable to avoid asking "irrelevant questions". Instead, concentrate on inquiries that directly relate to the matter at hand. When in doubt, consider alternative phrasing such as "unrelated questions" or "inconsequential questions" to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrelated questions

Changes the focus from relevance to a lack of connection.

inconsequential questions

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact of the questions.

pointless questions

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in asking the questions.

unnecessary questions

Focuses on the questions not being needed or required.

extraneous questions

Indicates that the questions are not essential or pertinent.

trivial questions

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness or significance of the questions.

impertinent questions

Suggests the questions are inappropriate or intrusive.

inappropriate questions

Indicates the questions are unsuitable for the given context.

useless questions

Focuses on the lack of utility or benefit of the questions.

moot questions

Implies the questions are no longer relevant or practical.

FAQs

How can I avoid asking "irrelevant questions" in a survey?

Clearly define the goals of your survey and ensure each question directly contributes to those goals. Pilot test your survey with a small group to identify and eliminate "unnecessary questions".

What are some alternatives to saying "irrelevant questions"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "unrelated questions", "off-topic questions", or "inconsequential questions".

In what situations might it be appropriate to ask "irrelevant questions"?

In some interviewing techniques, such as when interviewing a suspect, seemingly unrelated questions may be used to gauge reactions and detect deception. Also, so-called "ice breaker questions" may seem somewhat irrelevant but serve the purpose of setting a relaxed and more cooperative atmosphere.

What is the difference between "irrelevant questions" and "leading questions"?

"Irrelevant questions" are off-topic or unrelated to the matter at hand, while "leading questions" are phrased in a way that suggests a desired answer. One is about pertinence, the other is about impartiality.