Pertinent vs Relevant: Differences And Uses For Each One

Are you unsure about the difference between pertinent and relevant? You’re not alone. While these two words are often used interchangeably, they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the definitions of both words and explain when to use each one.

Let’s clarify the meaning of each word. Pertinent refers to something that is directly related to the matter at hand, while relevant means something that is closely connected or applicable to the topic being discussed.

For example, if you’re discussing a legal case, pertinent information would be details that directly relate to the case, such as witness testimony or physical evidence. Relevant information, on the other hand, could include broader topics that are related to the case, such as legal precedent or social issues that may have influenced the events leading up to the case.

Understanding the difference between these two words is important because using the wrong one can lead to confusion or miscommunication. In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the key differences between pertinent and relevant and provide examples of when to use each one.

Define Pertinent

Pertinent refers to something that is applicable or relevant to a particular matter or situation. It is often used to describe information or details that are directly related to the topic at hand, and are therefore useful in providing insight or clarity. Pertinent information can help to shed light on a problem, provide context for a discussion, or enhance understanding of a concept.

For example, in a legal context, pertinent evidence would be evidence that is directly relevant to the case being tried. In a medical context, pertinent medical history would be information that is directly relevant to a patient’s current condition and treatment plan.

Define Relevant

Relevant, on the other hand, refers to something that is connected to or important in a broader sense. It can be used to describe information or details that are related to a topic, but may not be directly applicable to the specific situation at hand. Relevant information can help to provide context or background, or may be useful in a more general sense.

For example, in a discussion about climate change, relevant information could include data about global temperature trends over time, even if that data is not directly applicable to a specific policy proposal. In a job interview, relevant experience would be experience that is related to the position being applied for, even if it is not directly applicable to every aspect of the job.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can be tricky, especially when two words have similar meanings. Pertinent and relevant are two such words that are often used interchangeably, but have distinct meanings. Here’s how to use them properly:

How To Use Pertinent In A Sentence

Pertinent means directly related to the subject at hand or relevant to the current situation. It is often used to describe information or details that are important to the topic being discussed. Here are some examples:

• The witness provided pertinent information that helped solve the crime.
• Her comments were not pertinent to the discussion.
• Only pertinent data should be included in the report.

When using pertinent in a sentence, make sure that the information being discussed is directly related to the topic at hand. Avoid using it to describe information that is only tangentially related or not relevant to the conversation.

How To Use Relevant In A Sentence

Relevant means closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand. It is often used to describe information or details that are important to the current situation. Here are some examples:

• The article was not relevant to the topic of the conference.
• His experience is relevant to the job he is applying for.
• She provided relevant examples to support her argument.

When using relevant in a sentence, make sure that the information being discussed is appropriate to the current situation. Avoid using it to describe information that is not closely connected to the topic at hand.

More Examples Of Pertinent & Relevant Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between pertinent and relevant, it can be helpful to see how each word is used in a sentence. Here are some examples of how to use both words in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Pertinent In A Sentence

• The lawyer asked the witness a series of questions that were all pertinent to the case.
• When writing a research paper, it is important to only include information that is pertinent to your topic.
• During the job interview, the candidate provided several examples of pertinent experience.
• The doctor asked the patient several questions to determine if their medical history was pertinent to their current symptoms.
• The teacher reminded the students to only ask pertinent questions during the lecture.
• The journalist only included pertinent details in their article to avoid confusion for the reader.
• The presenter provided a list of pertinent statistics to support their argument.
• The detective asked the suspect a series of questions to determine if their alibi was pertinent to the crime.
• During the meeting, the committee only discussed pertinent issues related to the project.
• The consultant provided several pertinent recommendations to improve the company’s efficiency.

Examples Of Using Relevant In A Sentence

• The speaker provided several examples of relevant research to support their argument.
• When writing a resume, it is important to only include relevant work experience.
• During the presentation, the speaker only included relevant information to avoid overwhelming the audience.
• The professor asked the students to provide examples of relevant literature to support their thesis.
• The marketing team conducted a survey to determine which advertising strategies were most relevant to their target audience.
• The politician only discussed relevant issues during the debate.
• The therapist asked the patient several questions to determine if their past experiences were relevant to their current struggles.
• The job candidate provided several relevant skills that would be valuable to the company.
• The journalist only included relevant quotes in their article to accurately represent the interviewee.
• The researcher only included relevant data in their study to avoid skewing the results.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using pertinent and relevant interchangeably, there are some common mistakes that people make which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Using Pertinent When Relevant Is More Appropriate

One of the most common mistakes people make is using the word “pertinent” when “relevant” is actually the more appropriate choice. While these two words are similar in meaning, they are not interchangeable.

Pertinent refers to something that is directly related to the matter at hand, while relevant refers to something that is related in a broader sense. For example, if you are writing a report on a specific topic, you would use the word “pertinent” to describe information that is directly related to that topic. If you are writing a report on a broader subject, you would use the word “relevant” to describe information that is related to the subject in general.

Mistake #2: Using Relevant When Pertinent Is More Appropriate

The opposite mistake is also common: using “relevant” when “pertinent” is actually the more appropriate choice. This mistake is particularly common when people want to sound more formal or authoritative.

However, using “relevant” inappropriately can actually make your writing less clear and less authoritative. If you are writing about a specific topic, using the word “relevant” can make it seem like you are not fully informed about the topic or that you are not taking it seriously.

Mistake #3: Not Understanding The Context

Another common mistake is not taking the context into account when choosing between “pertinent” and “relevant.” The meaning of these words can vary depending on the context in which they are used.

For example, if you are writing a legal brief, the word “pertinent” may have a more specific meaning than it would in a different context. It is important to understand the specific context in which you are using these words in order to use them correctly.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid these common mistakes when using “pertinent” and “relevant” in your writing:

• Always double-check the definitions of these words before using them.
• Consider the context in which you are using these words.
• If you are unsure which word to use, try substituting each word and seeing which one sounds more appropriate.
• Read your writing out loud to make sure it sounds clear and authoritative.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “pertinent” and “relevant,” context is key. The decision of which word to use can depend on the specific situation and the intended meaning.

Examples Of Different Contexts:

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “pertinent” and “relevant” might change:

Context 1: Academic Writing

In academic writing, the word “pertinent” is often preferred over “relevant.” This is because “pertinent” implies a deeper level of significance and importance. For example, in a scientific research paper, a finding that is “pertinent” to the study’s hypothesis is one that is not only relevant, but also essential to the understanding of the research question.

Context 2: Marketing

On the other hand, in marketing, the word “relevant” is often used to describe the target audience. In this context, “relevant” implies a connection or alignment between the product or service being marketed and the needs or interests of the audience. For example, a clothing company might use the tagline “Fashion for the Relevant Generation” to appeal to younger consumers who are interested in current trends.

Context 3: Legal Writing

In legal writing, both “pertinent” and “relevant” are commonly used, but they have slightly different meanings. “Pertinent” is often used to describe evidence or information that is directly related to a legal case, while “relevant” is used more broadly to describe any evidence or information that could potentially impact the case. For example, a lawyer might argue that a witness’s testimony is not “pertinent” to the case because it does not directly address the legal issue at hand, but it is still “relevant” because it could impact the jury’s perception of the witness’s credibility.

Overall, the choice between “pertinent” and “relevant” depends on the context in which they are used. While they are often used interchangeably, they have slightly different connotations and implications that can impact the intended meaning of a sentence or phrase.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using the terms ‘pertinent’ and ‘relevant’ are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where the rules may not apply. Here are some cases where the usage of these terms may differ:

Legal Terminology

In legal terminology, the term ‘pertinent’ is often used to describe evidence that is directly related to a case and has a significant impact on the outcome. On the other hand, ‘relevant’ evidence may not be as directly related to the case but can still provide important context or background information.

For example, in a criminal case, a witness’s testimony about the defendant’s whereabouts at the time of the crime would be considered pertinent evidence. However, testimony about the defendant’s character or reputation may be considered relevant but not necessarily pertinent.

Scientific Research

In scientific research, the terms ‘pertinent’ and ‘relevant’ may be used differently than in everyday language. Pertinent information may refer to data or findings that directly relate to the research question or hypothesis, while relevant information may refer to background information or related studies that provide context for the research.

For example, in a study on the effects of a new medication on a specific disease, data on the medication’s side effects would be considered pertinent information. However, information on the history of the disease or previous treatments would be considered relevant but not necessarily pertinent.

Contextual Usage

In some cases, the usage of ‘pertinent’ and ‘relevant’ may depend on the context in which they are used. For example, in a conversation or informal writing, the terms may be used interchangeably without much distinction between them.

However, in formal writing or academic contexts, it is important to use these terms correctly to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

Overall, while the rules for using ‘pertinent’ and ‘relevant’ are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where the usage may differ based on the context or field of study. By understanding these exceptions, you can use these terms more effectively and accurately in your writing.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of pertinent and relevant is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you do just that:

Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Word

Choose the correct word (pertinent or relevant) to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

Sentence	Answer
She was asked a lot of questions, but she only answered the ones that were ________ to the topic at hand.	pertinent
The evidence presented in court was not ________ to the case and was therefore not admissible.	relevant
The speaker’s anecdote was amusing, but not particularly ________ to the subject of the lecture.	relevant
The lawyer’s argument was ________ to the case and helped sway the jury in his client’s favor.	pertinent

Exercise 2: Write Your Own Sentences

Write a sentence using each of the following words correctly:

• pertinent
• relevant

Once you have written your sentences, compare them with a partner and discuss whether you have used the words correctly.

Exercise 3: Identify The Word

Read the following sentences and identify whether the word in bold is pertinent or relevant:

• The information he provided was not pertinent to the discussion.
• The article contained a lot of relevant information about the topic.
• The witness’s testimony was not relevant to the case.
• She asked a lot of questions, but none of them were pertinent to the topic at hand.

Once you have identified the correct word, discuss with a partner why that word was the correct choice.

Remember, practice is key to improving your understanding and use of pertinent and relevant. By completing these exercises, you will gain confidence in your ability to use these words correctly in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between pertinent and relevant, it is clear that these two words are often used interchangeably, but have distinct meanings. Pertinent refers to something that is directly related to the matter at hand, while relevant refers to something that is connected or applicable to the topic at hand.

It is important to understand the nuances of language and grammar to effectively communicate in both written and verbal forms. By using the correct word in the appropriate context, we can convey our message clearly and accurately.

Key Takeaways

• Pertinent and relevant are similar but have distinct meanings.
• Pertinent refers to something directly related to the matter at hand.
• Relevant refers to something connected or applicable to the topic at hand.
• Understanding the nuances of language and grammar is important for effective communication.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our communication skills and convey our ideas with precision and clarity.