tangential question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangential question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is not directly related to the main topic of discussion but is still relevant in some way. Example: "While discussing the main project, I have a tangential question about the budget allocation for next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Running for New York State attorney general in the 1994 Democratic primary, he was brash, energetic and blatantly opportunistic, with a disturbing inclination to play to the tabloids on the tangential question of the death penalty.

The New York Times - Books

(Whether or not the bibelot sold and, if so, fetched its asking price of fifty million pounds — some have doubted Hirst's word on it — is an interesting but tangential question).

The New Yorker

The White House press office did not respond to follow-up queries about the issue, and deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded to a tangential question on the topic by saying she had no information about it.

Huffington Post

At first I did not connect this seemingly tangential question to my article, but now I find myself weaving my understanding into the very concept of free choice inherent in a democracy.

Huffington Post

While immediately created much online amusement (my favorite: "It's pronounced 'Heb' Bush"), it does raise an interesting but tangential question -- and not just for Bush -- in the upcoming presidential primary process: Do Republican ballots in all states require full legal names for candidates?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But there are tangential questions well worth pondering: If movie culture reflects who we are, then who the hell are we?

The New Yorker

EU negotiators spent hours answering tangential questions, and listening to declarations about the greatness of the Persian people—"going back to Cyrus the Great", he sighs leading up to its right to civilian nuclear technology.

The Economist

It does so less, though, than defenders of the Rosenbergs who for decades invoked largely tangential questions to justify their shrinking claim of innocence (it's now narrowed to "Julius did not steal the secret to the atomic bomb") or to suggest dismissively that he was a hapless victim of a witch hunt.

The New York Times

A couple of tangential questions - firstly Leveson.

BBC

We get misunderstanding, and that's actually the cause of a lot of those horrible tangential questions you get.

Forbes

In the future, DIY Co. aims to make its bot interface more sophisticated, using artificial intelligence, so that kids who have a lot of seemingly tangential questions can interrupt a course and speak with the JAM bots as they would an understanding parent or teacher.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tangential question" when you want to acknowledge a question's relevance while also indicating it's not the primary focus. This can help manage the scope of a discussion or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "tangential question" when the question is completely unrelated to the topic at hand. "Tangential" implies some degree of connection, however slight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangential question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tangential" modifies the noun "question". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to describe a question that is related to the main topic but not of central importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tangential question" describes a question that's related but not central to a discussion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but is also used in scientific and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the question has some relevance to the main topic to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives include "related question" or "side question".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related question

Emphasizes the connection, but less on its indirect relevance.

peripheral question

Highlights the outer or less important aspect of the question.

indirect question

Focuses on the lack of a straight path to the core issue.

incidental question

Stresses the casual or chance nature of the question's appearance.

secondary question

Indicates the question is of lower importance.

by the way question

Highlights how the question is brought up in passing or as an aside.

side question

Suggests the question branches off from the main subject.

loosely related question

Emphasizes a weak connection to the main subject.

marginally relevant question

Highlights the slight connection to the matter at hand.

offshoot question

Implies the question is a derivative point from the main topic.

FAQs

How can I use "tangential question" in a sentence?

You can use "tangential question" to introduce a question that is related to the main topic but not directly relevant. For example, "While discussing the budget, I have a "tangential question" about resource allocation."

What's a simpler alternative to "tangential question"?

Simpler alternatives include "related question" or "side question". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of relevance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to ask a "tangential question" during a formal meeting?

It can be appropriate if the question is genuinely related and contributes to a better understanding of the main topic. However, it's best to save it for the end or ask if it's a suitable time to ask a "tangential question" to avoid derailing the discussion.

What's the difference between a "tangential question" and an "irrelevant question"?

A "tangential question" has some connection to the main topic, while an irrelevant question has no connection at all. A tangential question might explore a related issue, whereas an irrelevant question is completely off-topic.