By the way

USAGE SUMMARY

'By the way' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to interject additional information into a conversation. For example, you might say, "We need to decide on a place to go for dinner. By the way, I heard that the new Italian restaurant opened up downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By the way: Happy Birthday!

The New York Times

By the way -- (inaudible) -- REP.

The New York Times

By the way, he is.

The New York Times

By the way, he succeeded.

The New Yorker

"By the way," he said.

The New Yorker

By the way, I have herpes".

Independent

By the way, happy birthday, friend.

The New Yorker

By the way, I understand it.

The New Yorker

By the way, that business about "muppets"?

The New York Times

By the way, it's now 35-0.

The New York Times

By the way, they never learn.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "By the way" to introduce supplementary information that is related to the main topic but not critical to the immediate discussion. It helps in adding context or detail without disrupting the flow.

Common error

While "By the way" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, overuse can make writing seem disjointed or unprofessional. In formal writing, consider using more structured transitions or integrating the information directly into the main text.

Linguistic Context

"By the way" functions as an adverbial phrase, serving to introduce an incidental or supplementary piece of information into a conversation or text. As Ludwig AI points out, it is perfectly correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "By the way" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce tangential or supplementary information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, remember that "By the way" is more suited to informal or neutral registers. In formal writing, consider transitioning with something more structured, to avoid being perceived as disorganized. Use it to smoothly add context or change the subject without disrupting the overall flow of communication. Alternatives such as "incidentally", "apropos", or "as an aside" can be employed when a more formal tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incidentally

A single word, indicating something said as a minor or secondary matter.

Apropos

Introduces a topic that is relevant, though perhaps not immediately obvious.

As an aside

Highlights that the information is a digression from the main topic.

In passing

Suggests the information is mentioned briefly and not dwelled upon.

On a side note

Signals a brief digression from the current topic.

Parenthetically

Indicates the information is provided as a parenthesis, adding extra detail.

In other news

Transitions to a completely different topic, often abrupt.

For the record

Emphasizes the information is being stated for accuracy and documentation.

Just so you know

A more direct way of adding information the listener may not be aware of.

I should mention

Highlights the speaker's intention to add a relevant piece of information.

FAQs

How can I use "By the way" in a sentence?

"By the way" is used to introduce a tangential thought or additional information. For example, "We're meeting at 2 PM. By the way, the conference room has been moved to the third floor."

What are some alternatives to using "By the way"?

You can use alternatives like "incidentally", "apropos", or "as an aside" to introduce additional information in a conversation or text.

Is it appropriate to use "By the way" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "By the way" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use more structured transitions or incorporate the information directly into the main text.

What's the difference between "By the way" and "In addition"?

"By the way" introduces a tangential or less important piece of information, while "In addition" introduces information that directly supports or expands on the main point.