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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
topical and timely
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "topical and timely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe subjects or issues that are relevant and current, often in discussions, articles, or presentations. Example: "The conference will focus on topical and timely issues affecting the global economy."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(19)
valid and timely
applicable and timely
relevant and timely
appropriate and timely
correct and timely
valuable and timely
suitable and timely
useful and timely
valid and consistent
true and consistent
adequate and timely
relevant and up to date
apt and opportune
befitting and timely
suitable and prompt
relevant and on time
judicious and punctual
expedient and immediate
sensible and timely
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
The creators of "South Park," the animated hit on Comedy Central, have been known to produce a topical and timely satire of events surrounding a current newsmaker — Paris Hilton, say, or Terri Schiavo — in less than a week.
News & Media
With the end of the sponsorships, a decision that the association made in June, the program for this conference -- the 91st annual gathering of the organization -- was more topical and timely, focusing on "Brand Building in the New E-conomy".
News & Media
The hour is topical and timely, incorporating the news of the day with what people are buzzing about in a spontaneous, informative and dynamic manner.
News & Media
Wired writer Chris Kohler said the topical and timely jokes in "Butters' Bottom Bitch", such as the satire on ACORN, were a strong example of what kept South Park funny and relevant.
Wiki
Despite the lack of positive findings in our population after correction for multiple testing, previous gene expression and association studies in schizophrenia suggest the implication of NgR signaling pathway genes in the etiology of schizophrenia remains topical and timely.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
52 human-written examples
"Fans have contributed their impressions of a business on Gowalla," he said, "so small businesses need to go to Gowalla and make sure your business information is represented correctly and add topical, timely info, like the type of coffee that's roasting right now.
News & Media
The material that I do has to be timely and topical and that's difficult if you have to wait around to get 12 songs released all at once".
News & Media
"The airline simply comments on items which are topical, timely and newsworthy," a spokesman said.
News & Media
His subject — a young woman who goes to work at an omnipotent technology company and gets sucked into a corporate culture that knows no distinction between work and life, public and private — is what could be described as "topical" or "timely," though those pedestrian words do not nearly capture its imaginative vision.
News & Media
In return, we are committed to promulgating our members' work beyond the pages of the Journal to the general public through modern channels of digital and print communication, including monthly journal highlights and press releases from the Society of particularly topical or timely reports.
But it was incredibly rare to see Python do anything topical or timely, really.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "topical and timely", ensure that both aspects are genuinely present. The subject should be currently relevant and the timing of its discussion or presentation should be appropriate and well-considered.
Common error
Avoid using "topical and timely" to describe information or events that are inherently evergreen. This phrase is most effective when applied to subjects with current and immediate relevance, not timeless concepts.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "topical and timely" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes something that is both currently relevant and appropriately timed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s often used to describe discussions, articles, or presentations. Examples in Ludwig AI show its use in diverse fields such as South Park satire, business conferences, and news broadcasts.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Wiki
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "topical and timely" is a compound adjective phrase used to describe something that is both currently relevant and appropriately timed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates it's commonly used in news, science, and general contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase effectively conveys the importance and immediacy of a subject. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "relevant and current" or "pertinent and up-to-date". When employing this phrase, ensure the subject truly possesses both qualities to avoid misuse. The analysis also reveals that the register is neutral, making it versatile for various writing styles and audiences.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
relevant and current
Focuses on the relevance and up-to-date nature of a subject, omitting the specific term "timely".
pertinent and up-to-date
Highlights pertinence and being current, providing a slightly more formal tone.
current and relevant
Reverses the order of the adjectives, slightly shifting the emphasis.
up-to-the-minute and significant
Emphasizes the immediacy and importance, moving away from the direct synonymy of "topical".
contemporary and appropriate
Stresses contemporariness and suitability, introducing a sense of appropriateness.
newsworthy and well-timed
Focuses on the newsworthiness and opportune timing, altering the core emphasis.
trending and opportune
Highlights current trends and favorable timing, shifting the perspective slightly.
hot and recent
Uses more informal language to convey popularity and recentness.
immediate and consequential
Underscores immediacy and the resulting importance, offering a stronger emphasis on impact.
fresh and applicable
Stresses novelty and the applicability of the subject matter.
FAQs
How can I effectively use "topical and timely" in a sentence?
Use "topical and timely" to describe subjects or discussions that are both relevant to current events and appropriately timed. For instance, "The article addresses "topical and timely" issues in modern healthcare".
What are some alternatives to "topical and timely"?
You can use alternatives such as "relevant and current", "pertinent and up-to-date", or "contemporary and appropriate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "topical and timely" redundant?
While both words relate to relevance, "topical" emphasizes the subject's connection to current topics, while "timely" stresses the appropriateness of the timing. They can complement each other, but consider if one word sufficiently captures the intended meaning.
In what contexts is "topical and timely" most appropriate?
"Topical and timely" is particularly suitable in contexts involving news, media, academic discussions, or presentations where the subject matter is directly linked to current events and their immediate impact.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested