this is irrelevant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is irrelevant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something does not pertain to the current discussion or topic at hand. Example: "While I appreciate your input, this is irrelevant to the main issue we are trying to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But before we do that I'm going to cheat a little bit by giving each of you an initial position –;this is irrelevant but I just want to sort of set things up.

Yale University

But this is irrelevant.

The Economist

This is irrelevant.

The Guardian

This is irrelevant if true.

Harvard University

In this instance, however, this is irrelevant.

The Economist

But this is irrelevant to the analysis.

The Economist

But, in PR terms, this is irrelevant.

The Guardian

In the wider Arab world this is irrelevant detail.

The Guardian - Opinion

For me this is irrelevant, as there's an otherworldliness about most politicians anyway.

The Guardian

This is irrelevant to the film and unflattering to Miss Hightower.

The New York Times

At ν="1/2, the bulk modulus is shown to exhibit a singularity, but this is irrelevant to real materials.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is irrelevant" to clearly and concisely dismiss information that does not contribute to the current discussion or decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid abruptly dismissing information with "this is irrelevant" without providing a reason. Briefly explain why the information is not pertinent to maintain a respectful and productive conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is irrelevant" primarily functions as a declarative statement used to express that certain information or considerations are not pertinent or applicable to the current topic or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and widely understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is irrelevant" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is not pertinent to the current discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate across a variety of contexts, including news, academic discourse, and scientific writing. While the phrase enjoys wide acceptability, it's essential to be mindful of the specific context and audience to avoid sounding overly dismissive. In highly formal settings, consider using more polite alternatives. When communicating the irrelevance of a topic, remember to clearly state why, ensuring your point is understood with respect and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is beside the point

Shifts focus to the core issue; emphasizes tangential nature.

this is immaterial

Emphasizes the lack of consequence or importance.

this is inconsequential

Highlights the lack of significance or impact.

this is of no consequence

Highlights the lack of significance or impact.

this is not pertinent

Directly addresses the lack of relevance to the matter at hand.

this is not germane

Formally indicates lack of relevance or appropriateness.

this is beside the question

Indicates that the topic deviates from the central issue.

this is neither here nor there

Informally suggests that something has no bearing on the situation.

this is of little importance

Highlights the lack of importance of a particular point.

this is a moot point

Suggests the matter is no longer worth discussing or considering.

FAQs

What does "this is irrelevant" mean?

The phrase "this is irrelevant" means that something is not important or related to the current topic, argument, or situation. It's used to dismiss information that doesn't contribute to the discussion.

What can I say instead of "this is irrelevant"?

You can use alternatives like "this is beside the point", "this is immaterial", or "this is not pertinent" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "this is irrelevant" in a conversation?

Use "this is irrelevant" when someone introduces information that doesn't help resolve the issue at hand, or when the information distracts from the core topic. However, use it judiciously to avoid sounding dismissive.

Is "this is irrelevant" too harsh or direct to use in formal settings?

In highly formal settings, "this is irrelevant" might be considered too direct. Opt for more polite alternatives like "this is not pertinent" or "this is beside the question". Consider the context and your relationship with the other person.