peripheral to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "peripheral to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is secondary or not central to the main topic or issue being discussed. Example: "The financial aspects of the project are peripheral to the main goals of sustainability and community impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Peripheral to this is an epicuticle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For years, he has been peripheral to US strategy.

The Guardian - Opinion

She is too peripheral to be a Mary Ann.

The New York Times - Arts

Coward's music is not incidental or peripheral to his art.

The Guardian - Music

Peripheral to the action; central to the process.

The Guardian

These are peripheral to much of the real economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The game itself seems almost peripheral to the technology.

The New York Times - Sports

When I did, my photography felt peripheral to my parenting.

The New Yorker

Such distractions were peripheral to Putin's grand vision.

The New Yorker

The argument that reducing inequality is peripheral to the debate is simply wrong.

The Guardian

But whether you do or not is peripheral to a much larger and more important story.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "peripheral to", ensure that the main subject is clearly defined to highlight the secondary or less important nature of what's being described. For instance, in the sentence, 'The marketing budget is peripheral to the core product development,' it's clear that product development is the primary focus.

Common error

Avoid using "peripheral to" when something is directly influential or essential. Overusing it can diminish the importance of contributing factors or elements. If something plays a key role, even if indirectly, a stronger term may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peripheral to" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. It describes something as being of secondary importance or relevance in relation to something else, indicating its non-essential nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "peripheral to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe something as being of secondary importance. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Its neutral, slightly formal tone makes it suitable for news, academic, and professional contexts. While "peripheral to" is widely used, ensure you accurately represent the relevance of the item being discussed and choose a more appropriate phrase when needed. Using "peripheral to" effectively helps to sharpen the focus on what truly matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary to

Indicates a lower level of importance or priority.

subordinate to

Emphasizes a hierarchical relationship where one thing is less important than another.

ancillary to

Highlights the supporting or auxiliary nature of something.

minor to

Directly expresses the lesser significance of something.

incidental to

Suggests that something is not essential and occurs by chance.

tangential to

Implies a slight connection or relevance, often diverging from the main point.

marginal to

Indicates that something exists at the edge or border of something else.

irrelevant to

Emphasizes the lack of importance or connection to a particular topic.

extraneous to

Highlights that something is not essential or inherent.

unrelated to

Expresses a complete lack of connection or association.

FAQs

How can I use "peripheral to" in a sentence?

Use "peripheral to" to indicate that something is not central or essential to the main focus. For example: "The side effects are "peripheral to" the main benefits of the treatment."

What are some alternatives to "peripheral to"?

Alternatives include "secondary to", "minor to", or "incidental to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "peripheral to the main issue"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "peripheral to the main issue" indicates that something is related to, but not a core part of, the central problem or subject.

What is the difference between "peripheral to" and "central to"?

"Peripheral to" means something is not essential or is on the edge, while "central to" means something is essential or at the core. They are opposites: "The details are "peripheral to" the overall understanding," versus "The core idea is "central to" the argument."