tangential to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangential to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is only slightly related or relevant to the main topic or issue at hand. Example: "The discussion about the weather was tangential to the main agenda of the meeting, which focused on budget planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is birth control tangential to the stimulus?

The Guardian - Opinion

As such, they were far from tangential to his career.

The New York Times - Arts

Facebook's official response to the anger was odd, and strangely tangential to the matter at hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is tangential to what you write, Fredrik, about things getting better".

The New Yorker

The site should include a memorial that is central, not tangential, to the rebuilding.

The New York Times

Classifications, notations, translations, amplifications, derivations and formulations are not tangential to Mr. Andersen's story.

The New York Times - Books

"While technology is important, it really is tangential to what happened last year," he said.

The New York Times

With the son gone, men have become tangential to the household.

The New York Times

The notion of work or manufacturing seems tangential to the paintings.

The New York Times

In the end, Mr. Glass is tangential to the S.E.C.'s case against Mr. Tourre.

The New York Times

"It's far more useful to show something that's tangential to the lesson, but supports it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tangential to" to downplay the importance of information that is related to the main topic but not essential. This can help maintain focus and avoid unnecessary diversions.

Common error

Avoid using "tangential to" as a dismissive tool. Ensure that even seemingly minor connections are adequately explored if they add valuable context or insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangential to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something is related to a topic but not of primary importance. Ludwig indicates that this is standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "tangential to" is used to describe something that is related to a main topic but not of central importance. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, appearing frequently in contexts such as science, news and media, and formal business settings. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring that seemingly minor connections are explored if they offer valuable context. Alternatives include "peripheral to", "incidentally related to", and "marginally relevant to", allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peripheral to

Focuses on spatial or figurative distance from the center.

incidentally related to

Emphasizes the casual or chance nature of the connection.

marginally relevant to

Highlights the slight degree of importance or applicability.

remotely connected to

Stresses the distant or tenuous link.

indirectly related to

Emphasizes the lack of a direct or immediate connection.

of secondary importance to

Indicates a lower priority or significance.

not directly related to

Highlights the absence of a straight or uncomplicated relationship.

on the periphery of

Similar to "peripheral", but more spatially oriented.

of minor consequence to

Indicates that something has little impact or significance.

slightly pertinent to

Indicates a small degree of relevance, but not central.

FAQs

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

Use "tangential to" to indicate that something is related but not central to the main topic. For example: "The discussion about his personal life was "tangential to" the business meeting."

What is a good alternative to "tangential to"?

Alternatives include "peripheral to", "incidentally related to", or "marginally relevant to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "tangential to" or "central to"?

The choice depends on the context. "Tangential to" indicates something is of secondary importance, while "central to" means it's essential. They have opposite meanings.

What's the difference between "tangential to" and "unrelated to"?

"Tangential to" suggests a slight connection, while "unrelated to" implies no connection at all. Something "tangential to" a topic still has some relevance, however small, while something unrelated has none.