issue was peripheral

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "issue was peripheral" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular issue is not central or significant to the main topic being discussed. Example: "While the budget concerns were important, the issue was peripheral to the overall strategy of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The government was looking at New Zealand's welfare system as a possible model but the drug testing issue was "peripheral".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On this view, social issues are peripheral to the challenges of corporate management.

The Economist

But from what I've been able to tell, these issues are peripheral to events.

Huffington Post

A lot of this was peripheral issues that you're talking about.

The New York Times

But when you pare down the legal issue Ms. Reno was considering, it was whether somebody lied about something that was peripheral to the original issue, which wasn't all that big a deal to begin with.

The New York Times

The issue may be peripheral, but it appeals to our compassion, especially when the administration plays the heartless heavy by sending SWAT teams to arrest people in wheelchairs.

The New York Times

McLeish was peripheral.

Independent

As a director, she was peripheral, noncontroversial.

The New Yorker

Any other activity was peripheral.

The Economist

But I was peripheral.

Huffington Post

Petraeus was peripheral at best during this whole (bloody) process.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "issue was peripheral", ensure the context clearly establishes what the central or primary issue is. This helps to effectively highlight the secondary nature of the peripheral issue.

Common error

Avoid using "issue was peripheral" if the issue actually has a significant impact on the main topic. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the issue's level of importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "issue was peripheral" functions as a descriptor, indicating that a specific matter is not central or critical to the overall subject. Ludwig AI shows several instances where it clarifies the relative unimportance of a topic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "issue was peripheral" is used to denote that a particular matter is not central or critical. While grammatically correct and understandable, it is relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig's analysis indicates its use in news media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the central issue to highlight the secondary nature of the peripheral one. Alternatives like "matter was secondary" or "point was tangential" may be considered depending on the intended nuance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable for use in written English to convey that a specific issue is not the primary focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter was secondary

Changes the noun and adjective to convey a similar meaning with different wording.

point was tangential

Replaces "issue" with "point" and "peripheral" with "tangential", altering the emphasis slightly.

concern was minor

Substitutes "issue" with "concern" and "peripheral" with "minor", indicating a lesser degree of importance.

problem was insignificant

Uses stronger terms to suggest the issue had little to no impact.

it was a side issue

Uses a common idiomatic expression to denote a lack of central relevance.

it was beside the point

Indicates that the issue was irrelevant to the main topic.

the core of the matter was elsewhere

Shifts the focus away from the mentioned issue, emphasizing the importance of something else.

the real problem lay elsewhere

Indicates the existence of a more important problem, minimizing the significance of the mentioned issue.

it wasn't a key concern

Expresses that the topic wasn't among the primary worries.

the crux of the matter was different

Indicates that the essential point of the situation resided in another aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "issue was peripheral" in a sentence?

You can use "issue was peripheral" to indicate that a particular concern is not central to the main discussion or problem. For example, "While the budget concerns were important, the "issue was peripheral" to the overall strategy of the project".

What's a good alternative to "issue was peripheral"?

Alternatives include phrases like "matter was secondary", "point was tangential", or "concern was minor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as a "peripheral issue"?

No, it's only appropriate if the issue truly has a minor impact compared to the main focus. If the so-called "peripheral issue" significantly affects the outcome, a different description is needed.

What's the difference between saying "issue was peripheral" and "issue was irrelevant"?

"Issue was peripheral" suggests the issue is still somewhat related but not central. "Issue was irrelevant" indicates that the issue has no bearing on the matter at hand.