Cool MateIrrelevant vs That's beside the point
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Irrelevant
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
That's beside the point
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Irrelevant
| Irrelevant | That's beside the point | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈreləvənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈreləvənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts bɪˈsaɪd ðə pɔɪnt//🇺🇸 //ðæts bɪˈsaɪd ðə pɔɪnt// |
| Meaning | not important or related to something | That is not relevant to the discussion. |
| Example | His comment was irrelevant to the main topic of discussion. | That argument is interesting, but that's beside the point. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, seem, completely, entirely, quite, to | get beside the point, that's beside the point, it is beside the point, say beside the point, to be beside the point |
| Antonyms | relevant, pertinent, applicable | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'relevant' - using it in the wrong context., Using as a noun when it's an adjective., Mispronouncing it (often simplified to 'ir-relevant'). | Using it when the point is relevant., Confusing it with 'beside' meaning next to., Not using it when someone is getting off topic. |
| Usage notes | Use 'irrelevant' in academic or formal contexts when discussing information that does not relate to the main topic. Avoid using it in casual conversations. | Typically used in discussions or arguments to redirect focus. Avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Irrelevant vs That's beside the point
What's the difference between Irrelevant and That's beside the point?
Irrelevant: not important or related to something That's beside the point: That is not relevant to the discussion.
Which is more common: Irrelevant and That's beside the point?
Irrelevant is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Irrelevant: His comment was irrelevant to the main topic of discussion. That's beside the point: That argument is interesting, but that's beside the point.
Can I use Irrelevant and That's beside the point interchangeably?
Not always. Irrelevant and That's beside the point are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.