pertinent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pertinent" is correct and usable in written English; it is an adjective.
You can use it when referring to something that is relevant or applicable to the current situation. For example: "The pertinent information needs to be included in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cameron has ensured that the crisis posed by Isis – made even more pertinent by the latest beheading and the threat to a British citizen – will be discussed both at a working dinner on Thursdaytomorrow evening, and then again on Friday as the 28 members discuss asymmetric warfare, and how to respond to threat of terrorism.

The Guardian

It also sought to compel the corporation to disclose "key information that is in the hands of the BBC, which we have reason to believe can shed more light on a number of pertinent issues surrounding the origin, purpose, and source of funding for the documentary".

The Guardian

"My favourite line is when Margi says to Mikey, 'You have made some wise choices, but you're wrong if you think everyone has them.'" Lloyd Owen, who plays Mikey, went further, saying the play is pertinent in a Britain where "we've got a bunch of old Etonians telling us to work harder".

The Guardian

I don't have a firm view before or against GM - despite what some of you seem to think! - so I really appreciated the very high number of people sending good information, pertinent challenges and links to source material.

The Guardian

Both issues seemed pertinent at last week's Irish Open.

The Guardian - Sport

Lib Dem activists have started to ask pertinent questions about why Clegg did not extract more from Davis.

The Guardian - Opinion

The UK's budgetary contributions are significant and especially pertinent in times of austerity; the common fisheries policy has arguably wrecked the industry and the common agricultural policy is protectionist and costly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rusbridger's lecture, 'Liberty and safety: where now for freedom?', will explore the topic of press freedom, currently particularly pertinent to Australia with new anti-terror laws introduced by the Federal Government potentially resulting in journalists being jailed for up to 10 years for reporting on ASIO special intelligence operations.

The Guardian

Moreover, Rhiannon claimed, pertinent details never reached Jenkins's report.

The Guardian

According to Sinodinos, the meeting was designed to get a better relationship with AWH, though he did not think it pertinent to mention it to his own board.

The Guardian

Women were there, other historians had just not seen that as in any way significant or pertinent.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pertinent" when you want to emphasize that something is directly and significantly related to the matter at hand. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

While "pertinent" is a strong word, avoid using it in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler word like "relevant" or "important" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "pertinent" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that they are relevant and significant to a particular subject or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "pertinent" is used to describe information, questions, and details that are directly related and important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pertinent" is a valuable adjective for indicating that something is directly and significantly related to the matter at hand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news, formal business and science contexts. When writing, remember that while alternatives like "relevant", "applicable" or "germane" exist, "pertinent" adds a specific emphasis on importance. While a very common term, it is most appropriate for formal writing. Its overuse may be perceived as pretentious in informal contexts. Ludwig’s examples clearly highlight the adjective’s function and usage. Therefore, choose "pertinent" when you want to convey a strong sense of relevance and significance in a formal manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant

Focuses on direct relation to the matter at hand, a slightly broader term.

applicable

Emphasizes the suitability of something to a specific situation.

germane

Highlights relevance and appropriateness, often in a legal or formal context.

apropos

Implies perfect relevance and timeliness.

material

Indicates significance or importance, particularly in affecting a decision or outcome.

significant

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of something.

essential

Highlights the necessity or indispensability of something.

critical

Stresses the crucial importance of something to the success or survival of something else.

important

A general term indicating value or consequence.

fitting

Stresses how appropriate something is to a specific situation.

FAQs

How do you use "pertinent" in a sentence?

You can use "pertinent" to describe information, questions, or details that are relevant and important to a particular topic. For instance, "Ensure you include all "relevant details" in your report."

What's the difference between "pertinent" and "relevant"?

"Pertinent" suggests a more direct and significant relationship to the matter at hand than "relevant". While both indicate connection, "pertinent" emphasizes importance.

What can I say instead of "pertinent"?

You can use alternatives like "applicable", "germane", or "apropos" depending on the context.

Is "pertinent" a formal word?

Yes, "pertinent" is generally considered a more formal word. It's suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts but might sound out of place in casual conversation.