A humorous aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A humorous aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a light-hearted or funny comment that is not the main focus of the discussion. Example: "During the lecture, the professor made a humorous aside about his cat's antics, which lightened the mood in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A humorous aside about the video linked to above is that while it's a talk about Microsoft's commitments to standards and interoperability with IE9, you need Silverlight to play it.

TechCrunch

Sometimes, Mr. Obama brings up his daughters as part of a humorous aside.

The New York Times

He has also got a humorous aside about deciding to run for president.

The Guardian

And so it was fitting that the last question in his interview with Levy was devoted to a humorous aside.

The New Yorker

In the BBC interview on Sunday, Mr. Miliband used the occasion to invoke, in a humorous aside, a family history that right-wing critics have adduced as part of their 'Red Ed' attacks — the fact that the brothers' father, Ralph Miliband, was a Marxist intellectual and writer who reached Britain from Belgium in 1940 after fleeing advancing Nazi forces.

The New York Times

As a humorous aside, IE with Chrome Frame, the plug-in Google made to make IE behave like Chrome, is now a bigger source of traffic to TechCrunch than Opera Mini or BlackBerry.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"The responsibility of leadership doesn't end with a single campaign," he said in a serious, gracious speech that he leavened with a humorous asides.

The New York Times

He had a liking for the humorous aside.

The Guardian

While there are a few humorous asides in the bar room chatter, the story won't make you bust a gut – unless it's a ritual disembowelment so that you can escape the pervasive misery of the series.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In another humorous aside on the benefits of a New York campus, Hennessy said: "As a native New Yorker, I'm looking forward to New York pizza". In his prepared speech, Hennessy said Stanford had received many invitations to consider setting up campuses and programs throughout other parts of the world, especially Asia.

Stanford University

The sense that invisible lethal rays are everywhere infuses this book with an anxious, desperate quality that is relieved only by the occasional darkly humorous aside.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a humorous aside" to briefly lighten the tone of a serious discussion or piece of writing, adding a touch of levity without derailing the main point.

Common error

Avoid inserting "a humorous aside" at points that disrupt the flow of the main argument or confuse the reader. The aside should complement, not compete with, the primary message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a humorous aside" functions primarily as a discourse marker, introducing a brief, amusing digression or comment that is tangential to the main topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. The examples show how it's used to signal a shift to lighter, entertaining content.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a humorous aside" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted expression used to introduce a brief, amusing digression. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not overly common, its use spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, with News & Media being the most frequent. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that it enhances the overall message and provides a lighthearted break without disrupting the main point. Alternatives like "a funny digression" or "a witty remark" can be considered for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A funny digression

Replaces "humorous" with "funny" and "aside" with "digression", altering the specific word choices while maintaining the core meaning of a brief, amusing departure from the main topic.

A comical interjection

Substitutes "humorous" with "comical" and "aside" with "interjection", suggesting a brief, amusing interruption or remark.

A witty remark

Replaces "humorous aside" with a more concise "witty remark", emphasizing the cleverness or intelligence of the comment.

A lighthearted comment

Uses "lighthearted" instead of "humorous", softening the tone slightly while retaining the sense of amusement; replaces "aside" with "comment" for a more general term.

An amusing observation

Replaces "humorous" with "amusing" and "aside" with "observation", highlighting the perceptive and entertaining nature of the comment.

A droll comment

Uses "droll" to describe the humor, suggesting a dry or understated wit, and replaces "aside" with "comment".

A facetious remark

Substitutes "humorous" with "facetious", indicating a lighthearted or playful insincerity in the comment.

A jocular observation

Replaces "humorous" with "jocular", emphasizing the playful or jovial nature of the aside; "observation" replaces "aside".

A whimsical tangent

Changes "humorous aside" to a "whimsical tangent", suggesting a more fanciful or capricious departure from the main subject.

A playful digression

Uses "playful" instead of "humorous", emphasizing the light and entertaining quality of the digression.

FAQs

How can I effectively incorporate "a humorous aside" into my writing?

Use "a humorous aside" sparingly and ensure it's relevant to the topic. It should enhance understanding or provide brief comic relief without distracting from the core message.

What's the difference between "a humorous aside" and "a sarcastic remark"?

"A humorous aside" aims to elicit laughter or amusement, while "a sarcastic remark" often uses irony or mockery, sometimes with a critical or contemptuous intent.

Is it appropriate to use "a humorous aside" in formal writing?

While "a humorous aside" can be used in various contexts, consider the tone and audience of formal writing. A more subtle or sophisticated approach to humor might be more suitable than an obvious or overt "humorous aside".

What are some synonyms for "a humorous aside"?

Consider alternatives such as "a funny digression", "a witty remark", or "a lighthearted comment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.