Words / C1

PURT-in-uh-nt/ˈpɜːtɪnənt/

Pertinent means directly relevant to the matter in hand: a pertinent question, pertinent to the brief. Relevant is everyday; impertinent is rude — the cruel mix-up. Perturb is disturb. Do not call a long autobiography pertinent to a methods query.

Meaning

Directly related to the matter being discussed.

Examples

• “A pertinent question named the missing night-shift n; a speech did not.”
• “A pertinent question named the missing night-shift n; a speech about “journey” did not.”
• “Relevant is everyday. Impertinent is cheeky, not “not pertinent”. Perturb the panel is upset them. Stay on the brief: pertinent to + noun.”

Good to know

Relevant to this point. Everyday: relevant. Mix-up: impertinent (rude). Not your life story in a methods slot.

Near in meaning

relevant

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