tangentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tangentially" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adverb that means "not closely or directly connected to the subject," and it is used to express an indirect connection or relationship between two things. For example, "His skills as a surgeon are only tangentially related to his work as a violinist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A parallel government crisis, tangentially related to the euro, sparked early elections and another change of regime in Slovenia.

The Guardian - Business

Tangentially, I like the way that, having shelved their noisenik inclinations here, Daft Punk helped craft the annihilating electro-thug beats on Kanye West's Yeezus in their spare time.

The Guardian - Music

Investors have given Silicon Valley's reigning royalty carte blanche this year to buy tangentially related firms witness Apple's purchase of Beats, a headphones maker, Facebook's deal for a messaging service, WhatsApp, and Google's acquisition of Nest Labs, which sells thermostats and smoke detectors.

The Economist

(Another nearly $2 billion, also authorised Friday, will go towards other transportation and rail improvements, some of which are tangentially related to the HSR plans).California is the last remaining proponent of Barack Obama's vision of a modern railroad network in America, an idea that has grown increasingly unpopular as projected costs have risen.

The Economist

They say to staff, she notes, "I just got this new job and I need to learn how to program in 'X' language; or, I'm in school and I want to learn about this topic that's tangentially related to me".

The Economist

Yet important questions about the economics of the trade are answered only tangentially: for instance, why a pound of ivory was worth 200 times more in Zanzibar than in the inland areas around Lake Tanganyika, where it was gathered.

The Economist

But the government has also claimed new powers by executive fiat, citing precedent from tangentially related cases.

The Economist

But it would address global warming only tangentially.

The Economist

In 2004 Mr Deripaska bought out Mr Abramovich and began to expand his empire vertically, horizontally and tangentially, sweeping up carmakers, insurers, construction companies, airlines and airports.

The Economist

Two chapters two-thirds of the way through the book actually discuss Da Vinci, but the rest merely mention him tangentially while wandering on a disconnected journey through the totality of western art and science.

The Economist

Any relevant transaction, even if it is only tangentially related to America, can be targeted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tangentially" to introduce information that, while not essential, provides context or a related perspective to the main topic. This can enrich your writing and demonstrate a nuanced understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "tangentially" as a crutch to include irrelevant information. If a connection is too weak, consider omitting the detail to maintain focus and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "tangentially" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the degree to which something is related or connected. It specifies that the relationship is not direct or central, but rather exists on the periphery. According to Ludwig AI, this is the correct way to use the adverb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tangentially" is a frequently used adverb that indicates an indirect or peripheral relationship. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical use is correct. As evidenced by the examples provided, it is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When using "tangentially", it's important to ensure that the connection is still relevant and adds value to the writing. Overusing it can weaken the argument. Alternatives such as "indirectly related" or "peripherally connected" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indirectly related

Focuses on the lack of a direct connection, highlighting the roundabout nature of the relationship.

peripherally connected

Emphasizes the outer edges or margins of a connection, implying a weak link.

incidentally associated

Suggests the connection is a chance occurrence, not a primary feature.

remotely relevant

Highlights the distance or tenuousness of the relevance.

marginally pertinent

Indicates a very small degree of importance or applicability.

loosely tied

Emphasizes the weak and flexible nature of the connection.

cursorily linked

Suggests the link is superficial and lacks depth.

secondarily involved

Focuses on playing a supporting role rather than a primary one.

obliquely referencing

Highlights the indirect and roundabout way of mentioning something.

parenthetically noted

Suggests the information is an aside, not central to the main point.

FAQs

How can I use "tangentially" in a sentence?

Use "tangentially" to indicate a connection that is not direct or essential to the main topic. For example, "The economic crisis is only "tangentially related" to the company's recent layoffs".

What is a simple definition of "tangentially"?

"Tangentially" means relating to something only slightly or indirectly.

What are some synonyms for "tangentially"?

Alternatives to "tangentially" include "indirectly", "peripherally", and "remotely", each emphasizing a different aspect of the indirect connection.

Is it always appropriate to use "tangentially" in formal writing?

While "tangentially" is generally acceptable in formal writing, ensure the connection is still relevant and adds value. Overuse or inappropriate use can weaken your argument. Consider alternatives like "incidentally" or "secondarily" if they better reflect the relationship.