it is beside the point

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is beside the point" is a valid expression that can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is irrelevant or not important to a given conversation or discussion. For example, "It doesn't matter if the store was out of stock - that's beside the point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

They sleep together once, but it is beside the point.

The New York Times - Books

Whether he actually believed it is beside the point.

The New York Times - Sports

By the time any sex happens in "Spring Breakers" it is beside the point.

The New York Times

This is modest and becoming, but it is beside the point.

The New Yorker

While this captures well the mindset of many northern Europeans, it is beside the point.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is beside the point that the State may have legitimate secular reasons for providing such aid.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Neither cultivated nor natural, it's beside-the-point, completely unnoticed, and slightly blurred from being passed so often and so fast.

The New Yorker

It's beside the point".

The New York Times - Arts

But it was beside the point.

The New York Times

Besides being sentimental, it's beside the point.

The Guardian

It's beside the point, for reasons that will shortly be clear.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is beside the point" to politely redirect a conversation when someone introduces an irrelevant detail. This helps maintain focus and avoid tangents.

Common error

Avoid using "it is beside the point" repeatedly in the same conversation, as it can come across as dismissive or condescending. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "that's irrelevant" or "that's not the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is beside the point" functions as a commentary adjunct, serving to express the speaker's assessment that a particular detail, argument, or piece of information is irrelevant or unimportant to the current discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is beside the point" is a useful expression for indicating that something is irrelevant to the current discussion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. While its tone is generally neutral, it's important to use the phrase judiciously to avoid sounding dismissive. Consider alternatives like "that's irrelevant" or "that's not the issue" to vary your language and maintain a polite conversational style. When used appropriately, "it is beside the point" can help keep conversations focused and productive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's irrelevant

Directly states lack of relevance.

that's not pertinent

Highlights how it's not relevant to the topic at hand.

that's immaterial

Emphasizes lack of consequence to the situation.

that's not germane

Highlights how it's not pertinent to the topic at hand.

that's inconsequential

Implies unimportance.

that's not important

Highlights lack of significance.

that's not the issue

Focuses on misdirection rather than explicit irrelevance.

that's off-topic

Identifies deviation from the main subject.

that's not the focus

Shifts attention to the correct subject.

that's a moot point

Suggests the matter is no longer worth discussing.

FAQs

How can I use "it is beside the point" in a sentence?

You can use "it is beside the point" to indicate that a particular detail or argument is not relevant to the current discussion. For example, "Whether he intended to cause harm "it is beside the point"; the damage is already done."

What can I say instead of "it is beside the point"?

You can use alternatives like "that's "irrelevant"", "that's "immaterial"", or "that's not the "issue"" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it is beside the point"?

It's appropriate to use "it is beside the point" when you want to politely steer a conversation away from an irrelevant topic or detail. Use it when the information does not contribute to the main discussion.

Is "it is beside the point" formal or informal?

"It is beside the point" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall context to avoid sounding dismissive.