Basic Details
Word: Pertinent
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; it relates directly to the topic being discussed.
Synonyms: Relevant, appropriate, applicable
Antonyms: Irrelevant, unrelated, inappropriate
Idioms and Phrases
- Get to the pertinent point: To focus on the most important part of a discussion. Example: "In her speech, she managed to get to the pertinent point without any distractions."
- Is that pertinent?: A phrase used to question whether something is relevant to the topic. Example: "When he started talking about his holiday plans, I wondered, 'Is that pertinent to our meeting today?'"
Usage Examples
Example 1: The teacher highlighted the pertinent details in the lesson to help the students understand better.
Example 2: During the discussion, Maria only shared information that was pertinent to the project.
Example 3: It is important to include only pertinent facts when writing an essay to keep it focused.
Fun Fact
The word "pertinent" comes from the Latin word "pertinens", which means "to relate to" or "to belong to." It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe relevant topics.
Famous Quote
"The art of communication is the language of leadership." James Humes - This quote emphasises the importance of relevant communication, where being pertinent is crucial.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "pertinent" mean?
a) Unimportant
b) Relevant
c) Confusing
d) Unclear
Answer: b) Relevant
2. Which of these is a synonym of "pertinent"?
a) Irrelevant
b) Applicable
c) Unrelated
d) Incidental
Answer: b) Applicable
3. Which word is an antonym of "pertinent"?
a) Relevant
b) Related
c) Irrelevant
d) Suitable
Answer: c) Irrelevant
4. Which sentence correctly uses "pertinent"?
a) The pertinent weather forecast was announced at the concert.
b) The kitten was quite pertinent in the garden.
c) She painted a pertinent picture of her favourite animal.
d) His comments were irrelevant to the topic.
Answer: a) The pertinent weather forecast was announced at the concert.
5. What does the phrase "Is that pertinent?" suggest?
a) Is that funny?
b) Is that relevant?
c) Is that false?
d) Is that complete?
Answer: b) Is that relevant?
