What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
germaneness
Example
The judge ruled that the evidence presented was of little germaneness to the case. [germaneness: noun]
Example
The speaker's comments were not germane to the topic at hand. [germane: adjective]
relevance
Example
The research findings have direct relevance to the current debate on climate change. [relevance: noun]
Example
The article discusses the relevance of traditional teaching methods in modern education. [relevant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relevance is more commonly used than germaneness in everyday language. Relevance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while germaneness is less common and is typically used in more formal or legal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between germaneness and relevance?
Germaneness is generally considered more formal than relevance. It is often used in legal or academic contexts where precision and accuracy are important. Relevance, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
