peripheral topics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "peripheral topics" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to subjects or issues that are not central or primary to the main discussion or focus. Example: "While the main presentation focused on climate change, we also touched on some peripheral topics such as renewable energy sources and conservation efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Writing for the New Yorker, Adam Gopnik argued that Rodger's "woman-hating philosophy" is a "peripheral issue" to the topic of gun control.

Vice

"This was a peripheral issue".

The New York Times

In this view, citations that are most central to the topic rank highly while citations peripheral to the topic rank lower on the list.

Bioinformatics

The company redid the site's navigation, focusing more on careers and job search, and condensing the peripheral content, on topics like food and travel, into a smaller space on the front page.

TechCrunch

Third, and slightly peripheral to the topic of this review, is the use of intravenous immunoglobulin preparations to treat certain immunological disease, notably thrombocytopenic purpura and the Guillain Barré syndrome.

Emerging Microbes and Infections

The network analysis found a core/periphery structure where central countries focused on active positive discussions pertaining to e-cigarettes, while isolated and peripheral countries posted negative topics without many responses.

BMJ Open

Although topics are peripheral in Figure 6, most indicators of manpower and training and manpower development concern nurse training, nurse deployment, and related frontline worker capacity-building themes rather than manpower development themes related to systems strenghening.,, Publications about other manpower issues concerning supervisory or management training are relatively uncommon.

Global health, science and practice

He free-associates, casually introduces ideas and people peripheral to the central topic and then, like a jazz musician, cycles back to the main theme.

The New York Times - Books

The limited number of scientists employed as researchers or technicians in Spanish universities means that the burden of much of the practical work related to the research projects being undertaken in their groups often falls to PhD students, even when those projects are peripheral to their PhD topic.

Science Magazine

Weirdly, Gibson seems keener to talk about his past works, and when I come on to the topic of Peripheral he tells me he's tired of talking about it.

Vice

We prefer, however, not to dwell into the discussion of opisthokonts versus amoebas, as it is really peripheral to the main topic of the paper.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peripheral topics" to clearly indicate that certain subjects are related but not central to the main discussion, helping to manage focus and prevent tangents.

Common error

Avoid using "peripheral topics" when the subjects are completely unrelated; ensure they have some connection to the main discussion, however minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peripheral topics" functions as a noun phrase, where "peripheral" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "topics". It typically identifies subjects that are related but not central to a main theme. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peripheral topics" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe subjects that are related but not central to a main discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While it's not a very common phrase, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions, though more frequent in Science. To enhance clarity in writing, consider alternatives like "secondary subjects" or "minor themes" to suit specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary subjects

Replaces "peripheral" with "secondary", emphasizing a lower level of importance.

minor themes

Uses "minor" instead of "peripheral", highlighting the lesser significance of the themes.

related but less important issues

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the lower importance of the related issues.

tangentially related subjects

Focuses on the indirect connection of the subjects to the main topic.

non-essential themes

Replaces "peripheral" with "non-essential", stressing that these themes are not crucial.

adjacent subjects

Highlights the proximity or relatedness of the subjects without emphasizing their importance.

side issues

A more informal term for topics that are not the main focus.

less relevant themes

Directly states the reduced relevance of the themes.

matters of lesser importance

Emphasizes the reduced significance of the matters discussed.

ancillary subjects

Uses a more formal term, "ancillary", to indicate supporting or supplementary subjects.

FAQs

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

You can use "peripheral topics" to refer to subjects that are related but not central to the main discussion. For example, "While the main presentation focused on climate change, we also touched on some peripheral topics such as renewable energy sources and conservation efforts."

What can I say instead of "peripheral topics"?

You can use alternatives like "secondary subjects", "minor themes", or "tangentially related subjects depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to dedicate significant time to "peripheral topics"?

Generally, it's best to keep discussions on "peripheral topics" brief to avoid diverting attention from the main subject. Acknowledge them, but don't let them dominate the conversation.

When is it useful to address "peripheral topics"?

Addressing "peripheral topics" can be useful for providing context, answering related questions, or exploring potential side effects, but always ensure they remain secondary to the primary focus.