non-topical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "non-topical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something which is unrelated to the topic being discussed or which does not fit the context of the discussion. For example, "The speaker stopped the conversation when the other person brought up a non-topical issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

When Trudeau began his syndicated cartoon he entered a world where the comics page was almost entirely non-topical and devoid of any political reference.

The Guardian - Books

More and more online magazine startups are devoted to in-depth reportage or cheerfully non-topical discussions of ideas over many thousands of beautifully typeset words.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both combine journalism, storytelling, interviews and snappy editing to create non-topical newspapers, audio high streets exploring a theme or incident.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a 11.1% SSI rate in the non-topical vancomycin cohort versus 0% in the topical vancomycin cohort (P=0.005).

Stanford University

The book in question – Foot's fifth, but his first non-topical work – was The Pen and the Sword, a study of an episode in the life of Jonathan Swift.

The Guardian

Originally designed for call for tender documents, the method can be useful for other web collections that also contain non-topical contents.

Information Processing & Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Thus transfersomes hold promise for effective non-invasive topical delivery of antigen(s).

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

The acquisition will give Pfizer access to a non-steroidal topical gel, crisaborole, which is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of mild to moderate eczema.

The Guardian - Business

Using the search function, customers for example can look up non-psychoactive topical creams, arthritis remedies, or sleep aids.

Forbes

Metipranolol is a non-selective topical beta-blocker used for the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

One of Anacor's key attraction is its flagship asset, "crisaborole," described as a differentiated non-steroidal topical PDE4 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "non-topical", ensure it clearly contrasts with a specific, identifiable topic to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what the subject isn't topical to.

Common error

Avoid using "non-topical" when you actually mean something is insignificant. "Non-topical" means unrelated to the current subject, not necessarily lacking importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "non-topical" functions primarily as an adjective. As Ludwig AI suggests, it modifies nouns to indicate that they are unrelated to a specific subject or context, as seen in examples like "non-topical work" or "non-topical contents".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "non-topical" is a grammatically correct adjective that indicates something is unrelated to a specific subject or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's primarily used to classify information as outside the scope of a particular focus. Although not very common, its usage spans across various fields, including science, news media, and academia. When using "non-topical", ensure clarity by contrasting it with an identifiable topic and avoid confusing it with "unimportant". Related terms such as "irrelevant" or "off-topic" may serve as useful alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

off-topic

Directly indicates a deviation from the main subject.

beside the point

Indicates that something is not relevant to the issue being discussed.

irrelevant

Focuses on the lack of connection or importance to the current subject.

unrelated

Emphasizes the absence of a relationship to the topic at hand.

extraneous

Highlights that something is not essential or pertinent.

not pertinent

Stresses the absence of direct relevance or importance.

general

Suggests a broadness that lacks specific relevance.

not current

Highlights that something is outdated or not of present concern.

timeless

Implies a lack of connection to current events or trends.

non-contemporary

Emphasizes that something is not from the present time period.

FAQs

How can I use "non-topical" in a sentence?

You can use "non-topical" to describe something unrelated to the current discussion. For example, "The speaker stopped the conversation when the other person brought up a non-topical issue."

What's a good substitute for "non-topical"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "non-topical" include "irrelevant", "unrelated", or "off-topic".

What does "non-topical" actually mean?

"Non-topical" means not related to the current subject or matter being discussed. It indicates a lack of direct relevance.

Is there a difference between "non-topical" and "unimportant"?

Yes. "Non-topical" refers to something being off-subject, while "unimportant" describes something lacking significance. They aren't interchangeable.