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Palinkasocsi Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

Little off topic

Dear Friends,

In a thread I have read:

"Sorry if this is a little off topic ... "

What is "little off" here? The dictionaries seem not to be too informative about this expression.

Thank you.

Palinkasocsi
  

Top answer

Hi, A little bit off topic. A small amount off topic. Slightly off topic.

  • Hi, A little bit off topic.
  • A small amount off topic.
  • Slightly off topic.
  • In terms of grammar, 'a little' is a noun here, meaning 'a small amount'.
  • Clive
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6 Answers
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Hi,
A little bit off topic.

A small amount off topic.

Slightly off topic.

In terms of grammar, 'a little' is a noun here, meaning 'a small amount'.

Clive
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Then what is "off topic"?
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Hi,
If you ask me about Canada and I start talking about China, I am not talking about the topic that I am supposed to talk about. I am 'off topic'.
It's a somewhat informal adjectival phrase.

Clive
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So,

"Sorry if this is a little off topic ... "

means that the speaker is apologizing because he is putting forward a topic which is marginal for that forum.

I hope I get it right.

Palinkasocsi
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Thank you, Clive!

Palinkasocsi

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