Cool MateHas nothing to do with it vs Irrelevant
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Has nothing to do with it
Top 3,000 (common)
Irrelevant
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Most common: Irrelevant
| Has nothing to do with it | Irrelevant | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //hæz ˈnʌθɪŋ tə duː wɪð ɪt//🇺🇸 //hæz ˈnʌθɪŋ tə du wɪð ɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈreləvənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈreləvənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | Unrelated to a topic or situation. | not important or related to something |
| Example | His opinion has nothing to do with it and shouldn't influence your decision. | His comment was irrelevant to the main topic of discussion. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | completely has nothing to do with it, it really has nothing to do with it, she insists it has nothing to do with it | appear, be, seem, completely, entirely, quite, to |
| Antonyms | - | relevant, pertinent, applicable |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'has everything to do with it' (the opposite meaning), Using in overly formal situations where a simpler phrase is preferred, Missing context which makes the phrase unclear | 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'). |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used to distance oneself from a topic or decision, typically in informal conversations. It's suitable in casual discussions, but may seem dismissive in formal contexts. | Use 'irrelevant' in academic or formal contexts when discussing information that does not relate to the main topic. Avoid using it in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Has nothing to do with it vs Irrelevant
What's the difference between Has nothing to do with it and Irrelevant?
Has nothing to do with it: Unrelated to a topic or situation. Irrelevant: not important or related to something
Which is more common: Has nothing to do with it and Irrelevant?
Irrelevant is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Has nothing to do with it: His opinion has nothing to do with it and shouldn't influence your decision. Irrelevant: His comment was irrelevant to the main topic of discussion.
Can I use Has nothing to do with it and Irrelevant interchangeably?
Not always. Has nothing to do with it and Irrelevant 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.