In passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In passing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is mentioned briefly or casually, without going into detail. Example: "In passing, she mentioned that she would be moving to a new city next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In passing, she performs respect.

The New York Times

(In passing, she concedes Reagan and Sarkozy).

The New Yorker

In passing judgment, we condemn ourselves.

Huffington Post

In passing, these observations have implications regarding NO generation.

AoB PLANTS

I played in passing game.

The New York Times

"Kevin," he said in passing.

The New York Times - Sports

Important contacts are made here in passing.

The Economist

But they are made in passing.

The New York Times - Arts

I'd seen the show in passing.

The New Yorker

"Maybe a long time ago in passing.

Independent

The falloff in passing rates occurred statewide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "In passing" to introduce information that is relevant but not central to the main point, avoiding unnecessary digressions that could distract the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in passing" excessively in formal or academic papers. Overuse can make your writing seem disorganized or lacking focus. Instead, integrate the information smoothly into the main text or use a more direct introductory phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In passing" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how something is said or done. It shows that information is mentioned briefly or incidentally, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "In passing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce information incidentally or briefly. Predominantly found in news media and scientific texts, its neutral tone allows for flexibility across various contexts. While a valuable tool for adding context, it's important to use "In passing" judiciously to maintain clarity and focus in formal writing. Alternatives like "incidentally" or "by the way" can offer similar meanings. Remember to avoid overusing it in formal contexts to keep your writing organized and direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

en passant

A French phrase meaning "in passing", used to indicate something said or done incidentally.

incidentally

Indicates something is mentioned as a related but less important point.

by the way

Introduces a tangential or additional piece of information.

parenthetically

Indicates something inserted as a side note or explanation.

as an aside

Indicates a brief departure from the main topic.

in parenthesis

Similar to parenthetically, but more literally refers to enclosed information.

tangentially

Indicates something related to but not directly part of the main subject.

cursorily

Implies a brief and superficial treatment of a topic.

fleetingly

Suggests something is mentioned very briefly or quickly.

by the by

An archaic alternative to "by the way", indicating an incidental remark.

FAQs

How can I use "In passing" in a sentence?

Use "In passing" to introduce a comment or information that is related but not the main focus of the discussion. For example, "In passing, she mentioned she was looking for a new job".

What are some alternatives to "In passing"?

You can use alternatives such as "incidentally", "by the way", or "as an aside" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "In passing" formal or informal?

"In passing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "In passing" and "briefly"?

"In passing" suggests that something is mentioned casually or incidentally, while "briefly" indicates that something is discussed for a short amount of time. The first refers to the manner of mentioning while the second the duration.