What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
germane
Example
The article's content was not germane to the discussion at hand. [germane: adjective]
Example
Her experience in marketing is germane to the job requirements. [germane: adjective]
related
Example
The two books are related in terms of their themes and characters. [related: adjective]
Example
The study found a strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer, indicating that they are related. [related: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Related is more commonly used than germane in everyday language, as it has a broader scope and can be used in a variety of contexts. Germane is more commonly used in academic or professional settings where precision and specificity are valued.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between germane and related?
Germane is more formal and academic than related, and is often used in professional or technical writing to emphasize the importance or relevance of something. Related is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
