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relevant: can it be used predicatively without an object

English translation: sure

09:52 Apr 28, 2015
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Linguistics / usage
English term or phrase: relevant: can it be used predicatively without an object
In the corporate usage of a certain multinational, the word "relevant" is very often used predicatively, BUT without an an indirect object that I feel accurate usage mandates (i.e. a phrase might run "..to stay/remain relevant", not "relevant TO something")

Question: how ok is that?))
danya
Local time: 10:52
Selected answer:sure
Explanation:
Definitely okay. See examples below:

I don’t think his remarks are relevant (to our discussion).
Critics may find themselves unable to stay relevant in a changing world.
One hallmark of an exceptional work of art is its ability to remain relevant.

Reference: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/relevan...

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-28 11:03:15 GMT)
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Just like Tony said, there would always be an implied object. However, it is not compulsory to make it explicit in your sentence since the reader could get that based on the context.
Selected response from:

Qing Chen
Belgium
Local time: 09:52
Grading comment
Thank you
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +6sure
Qing Chen


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


54 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +6
sure


Explanation:
Definitely okay. See examples below:

I don’t think his remarks are relevant (to our discussion).
Critics may find themselves unable to stay relevant in a changing world.
One hallmark of an exceptional work of art is its ability to remain relevant.

Reference: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/relevan...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-28 11:03:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Just like Tony said, there would always be an implied object. However, it is not compulsory to make it explicit in your sentence since the reader could get that based on the context.


    Reference: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-french/re...
    Reference: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/relevant?s=t
Qing Chen
Belgium
Local time: 09:52
Works in field
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 2
Grading comment
Thank you
Notes to answerer
Asker: your examples do contain indirect objects/modifiers, don't they)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: Yes, there is always an implied indirect object, even if it is an extermely broad one.
7 mins
agree  Christine Andersen
21 mins
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: very commonly used alone
31 mins
agree  magdadh
3 hrs
agree  Tushar Deep
4 hrs
agree  Teresa Reinhardt: yep, just like remaining young/healthy [or lots of other adjectives]
1 day 19 hrs
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