Peripheral in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

Peripheral describes something at the edge of a system or only of secondary importance, and as a noun it means a device attached to a computer. To use peripheral in a sentence, place the focus at the centre: “Attendance is peripheral to the main argument.” The adjective pairs with to when it marks something as less central.

Peripheral at a glance

• Peripheral is both an adjective and a noun; the plural noun is peripherals.
• As an adjective it usually takes to: peripheral to the argument, peripheral to the plan.
• The adjective means on the edge or secondary, while the noun means a device such as a keyboard, mouse or printer.
• Peripheral belongs to analysis, business and computing writing more than to conversation.
• The commonest error is writing peripheral of instead of peripheral to.

What does peripheral mean?

Peripheral is an adjective meaning on the outer edge or of secondary importance, and a noun meaning a device that connects to a computer. The Cambridge entry for peripheral records both. In the adjective sense the word rarely stands alone: it points to a centre, so a peripheral concern is peripheral to something else. The noun sense is concrete and countable.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Peripheral is not a synonym for unimportant in every case, because a peripheral road still carries traffic and a peripheral symptom can matter. A highlight at the edge of the photo is literally peripheral, yet it may still be the point. When you mean trivial, say trivial; peripheral locates a thing at the edge rather than rating its worth.

How do you use peripheral in a sentence?

Peripheral compares a thing with a centre, so the adjective almost always names what it stands away from. Five patterns cover most real uses, and the preposition to is the one to remember.

Peripheral in a sentence: examples across contexts

Peripheral shifts from physical position to priority without changing form. The nine sentences below move from a classroom to a hospital corridor, and each one keeps a centre in view.

In computing prose the noun often appears as an external device alongside peripheral. When the point is low priority rather than low position, a minor detail is the plainer wording.

Peripheral vs fringe

Peripheral and fringe both suggest something at the edge, but they attach to different things. Peripheral measures distance from a centre; fringe measures distance from a main group or body.

A view held outside the mainstream is better called a fringe belief than peripheral, and a district far from the centre can be the outskirts of the city, which is spatial and concrete. Verdict: use peripheral for position and priority within a system, and fringe for the outer edge of a group or a set of beliefs.

Word forms and grammar of peripheral

Peripheral is unusual because the same spelling serves as adjective and noun. The table also gives the adverb and the related noun periphery.

Common mistakes with peripheral

• Incorrect: The note is peripheral of the discussion. Correct: The note is peripheral to the discussion. Rule: the adjective pairs with to, never of.
• Incorrect: She bought a new peripheral of keyboard. Correct: She bought a new peripheral, a keyboard. Rule: the noun is complete, so do not add of before the device name.
• Incorrect: The peripherals was easy to install. Correct: The peripherals were easy to install. Rule: the plural noun takes a plural verb.
• Incorrect: His job is peripheral important. Correct: His job is peripheral. Rule: peripheral is an adjective and does not modify another adjective.

Practice using peripheral

Work through the six items, then check the reasoning rather than only the answer.

1. Fill the gap: The colour of the folders is ______ to the decision.
2. Choose the better word: That rumour is (peripheral / fringe) to the report’s argument.
3. Correct the error: The wiring is peripheral of the main circuit.
4. Build a sentence: use peripheral to about a budget item.
5. Spot the register: which fits a technician’s guide — connect each peripheral before boot, or plug your stuff in?
6. Rewrite with the adverb: The village lies at the edge of the network. Use peripherally.

Answers

1. peripheral — the adjective meaning secondary takes to.
2. peripheral — the word relates one part to a system, which is the peripheral pattern.
3. The wiring is peripheral to the main circuit — peripheral takes to, not of.
4. Model answer: The stationery budget is peripheral to the staffing plan.
5. Connect each peripheral before boot — a technical guide names the device without slang.
6. The village is peripherally connected to the network — the adverb ends in ly.

The bottom line

Use peripheral in a sentence to place something at the edge of a system or at secondary importance, and attach the adjective to a centre with to. The two deciding nuances are these: the adjective always compares, so it needs a point of reference, and the noun is a countable computing device. When you mean simply unimportant, the plainer word unimportant is stronger.

Frequently asked questions about peripheral

Is peripheral an adjective or a noun?

Peripheral works as both. As an adjective it means on the edge or secondary, as in a peripheral role. As a noun it names a device attached to a computer, such as a keyboard or printer, and the plural peripherals names several of them.

What preposition follows peripheral?

The adjective takes to. Write peripheral to the argument, not peripheral of the argument. The word points to a centre, so the sentence should name what the peripheral thing stands away from, as in the cost is peripheral to the safety review.

What is the difference between peripheral and fringe?

Peripheral describes position within a system or secondary importance, and it usually links to a centre with to. Fringe describes the outer edge of a group or a set of beliefs. A peripheral task is secondary, while a fringe opinion sits outside the mainstream.

Does peripheral mean unimportant?

Not exactly. Peripheral means at the edge or secondary in relation to something else, which is a statement about position rather than worth. A peripheral issue may still matter, it is simply not central. Use unimportant when you mean that the thing carries no weight at all.

Do you ever come across a sentence where the main idea is surrounded by additional information that isn’t essential to understanding the point being made? That’s where peripheral words or phrases come into play. These are the extra bits in a sentence that can provide context or details but are not crucial to the sentence’s core meaning.

In writing, identifying and understanding peripheral elements can help enhance clarity and precision in communication. By recognizing and properly handling peripheral information, we can ensure that our main ideas are highlighted and easily comprehensible to readers.

7 Examples Of Peripheral Used In a Sentence For Kids

• I use my peripheral vision to see things on the sides.
• My peripheral vision helps me see my friends playing nearby.
• It’s important to use our peripheral vision while crossing the road.
• We can spot birds flying with our peripheral vision.
• Let’s play a game where we use our peripheral vision to find objects.
• The cat sneaked up on me from the peripheral side.
• Our peripheral vision can help us stay safe in crowded places.

14 Sentences with Peripheral Examples

• It is important to keep your peripheral devices updated to avoid compatibility issues.
• Make sure to properly connect your peripheral devices to your laptop before starting any assignments.
• The library at our college provides students with access to various peripheral devices like printers and scanners.
• When conducting research, consider utilizing peripheral sources of information to gain a well-rounded perspective.
• Always have spare batteries on hand for your peripheral devices in case they run out of power during important presentations.
• Certain peripheral equipment like calculators are essential for exams in the mathematics department.
• When setting up a study space, ensure that your peripheral devices are placed within easy reach for convenience.
• Invest in quality cables to connect your peripheral devices to your laptop to avoid disruptions during online classes.
• To enhance productivity, organize your peripheral devices in a way that promotes efficiency in completing assignments.
• It is advisable to back up your important files on a peripheral external hard drive to prevent data loss.
• Properly label your peripheral devices to avoid confusion and minimize the risk of misplacing them.
• Consider investing in a docking station to easily connect multiple peripheral devices to your laptop at once.
• Collaborate with classmates to share peripheral resources like printers and projectors, ensuring everyone has access to necessary equipment.
• When attending virtual meetings, verify that your peripheral devices such as webcams and microphones are in working condition for clear communication.

How To Use Peripheral in Sentences?

Peripheral devices are external components that can be connected to a computer to enhance its functionality. When using the word “peripheral” in a sentence, it is important to keep in mind its meaning as an adjective describing something that is on the outer edge or outskirts of a central system.

For example, you can say, “I connected a peripheral printer to my laptop to print out the documents.” In this sentence, the word “peripheral” is used to describe the printer as an external device that is not part of the laptop itself but connected to it.

Another example could be, “The keyboard is a peripheral device that allows input into the computer.” Here, the word “peripheral” is used to describe the keyboard as an external component that provides input to the computer.

When using “peripheral” in a sentence, it is essential to ensure that it is appropriately used to describe something external or supplementary to the main system being discussed. By understanding its meaning and context, you can effectively incorporate the word “peripheral” into your writing to convey the idea of something that is on the outer edge or connected externally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the examples of sentences with the keyword “peripheral” highlight its meaning as something external, on the edge, or secondary in importance. These sentences illustrate how peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are essential for the operation of computers, emphasizing their peripheral role in enhancing functionality. Additionally, the usage of “peripheral” in contexts beyond technology, such as describing peripheral vision in a broader sense, demonstrates its versatile application in various situations to convey the idea of something auxiliary or supplementary.

Overall, sentences with the keyword “peripheral” effectively showcase its significance in different contexts, shedding light on its role in enhancing or complementing a central entity. Whether referring to physical devices or abstract concepts, the word “peripheral” aptly captures the notion of something on the outskirts or periphery, providing a clear and nuanced understanding of its meaning.