irrelevant to the discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irrelevant to the discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a particular point or topic does not pertain to the main subject being discussed. Example: "While I appreciate your input, I must point out that your comments are irrelevant to the discussion at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Frank Rich says forget the "legalistic chatter," as if the legality of Judith Miller's conduct were irrelevant to the discussion.

The New York Times

They are largely irrelevant to the discussion, which helps explain why the league remains in places like Columbus, Ohio, and Sunrise, Fla.

The New York Times - Sports

Like any responsible interpreter, he sees the Sodom and Gomorrah story from Genesis 19 as irrelevant to the discussion.

Huffington Post

Borger is probably right that there will be a few Democrats that don't like the deal, but they are TOTALLY IRRELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION.

Huffington Post

In other words, Purdue's apparent stance ― like Zinke's ― is that the cause of climate change is up for debate and irrelevant to the discussion. .

Huffington Post

All three techniques are intended for low-viscosity samples (with the exception of the Coulter counter equipped with larger apertures, a case irrelevant to the discussion).

AAPS Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The combination 4πε0 is a constant whose value is irrelevant to the present discussion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Tillerson had tied the corporation's lobbyists to a proposal that was irrelevant to the practical discussions then taking place on climate policy.

The New Yorker

The other search engines are irrelevant to this discussion because you own 80% of the market and most of these bad publishers search engine strategies focus on gaming your engine. .

Huffington Post

Everything else — all the talk about banks creating money, and yes, all the gotchas my critics think they've found in what I'm saying — is irrelevant to the actual economic discussion.

The New York Times

Now, in this capacious and impressive biography, Ms Grundy brings the full weight of her learning to bear on her subject, keeping a weather eye at all times on the gender aspect.In this section A corking row Star quality M'lords, ladies and gentlemen Missing wit ReprintsHer sex is seldom considered irrelevant to the matter under discussion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irrelevant to the discussion" to clearly signal that a specific point or argument is not pertinent to the current topic, helping to maintain focus and prevent unnecessary tangents.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal alternatives when simpler phrasing is more appropriate for your audience. While "immaterial" or "extraneous" might be technically accurate, they can sound pretentious in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irrelevant to the discussion" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often a point, comment, or argument) by indicating that it lacks pertinence or significance within the current conversational context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "irrelevant to the discussion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to indicate that something is not pertinent to the topic at hand. Ludwig AI confirms this. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various settings. While effective, it's crucial to use this phrase thoughtfully, avoiding overly formal alternatives and ensuring a clear, respectful communication style. Remember that while the phrase itself is correct, delivering the message with tact will prevent misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not pertinent to the discussion

Replaces "irrelevant" with "not pertinent", maintaining a similar level of formality.

unrelated to the discussion

Emphasizes the lack of connection between a topic and the discussion.

beside the point in this discussion

Highlights that something is not relevant to the core issue at hand.

immaterial to the discussion

Uses a more formal term, "immaterial", to indicate a lack of relevance.

not germane to the discussion

Employs "germane" to stress the absence of a meaningful relationship to the topic.

off-topic in this discussion

Indicates a clear deviation from the main subject.

not applicable to this discussion

Suggests that something doesn't fit or is not appropriate in the context.

extraneous to the discussion

Highlights that information is not essential or intrinsic to the conversation.

not connected to the discussion

Simplifies the phrasing to emphasize a lack of any association.

a digression from the discussion

Indicates a departure from the main line of conversation.

FAQs

What does "irrelevant to the discussion" mean?

It means that something is not related or important to the topic being discussed. It suggests that the point is not worth considering in the current context.

What can I say instead of "irrelevant to the discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "not pertinent to the discussion", "unrelated to the discussion", or "beside the point in this discussion" depending on the context.

How to use "irrelevant to the discussion" in a sentence?

Example: "While that information might be interesting, it's ultimately irrelevant to the discussion at hand."

Is it rude to say something is "irrelevant to the discussion"?

It can be perceived as dismissive if not phrased carefully. Consider softening the statement by acknowledging the input before explaining why it doesn't fit the current topic.