Incidentally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Incidentally" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that is related to the main topic but is not the primary focus of the discussion. Example: "Incidentally, I also wanted to mention that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One of the unexpected pleasures of this magical island, incidentally, is how more or less everyone has a passionate interest in the English Premiership.

The Guardian - Travel

Osborne, incidentally, has learned both sides of the lesson: with Help to Buy, he will create a small number of homeowners who have him to thank for their purchase.

The Guardian - Opinion

Greste, incidentally, is being held on the same wing as activist Alaa Abd el Fattah, arrested in December on charges related to a protest held in violation of a new law that criminalises political gatherings of more than 10 people held without the police's permission.

The Guardian - Opinion

It could also be argued that the union campaign might have incidentally benefited the Liberal Democrats, who spent paltry sums compared with the two main parties.

The Guardian

Incidentally, on how many networked TV comedy shows would 100% of the guests be female?

The Guardian

Incidentally, Crumb and his colleagues and backers aren't positioning their business as a way to speculate on gold prices, although even a casual glance at the company's stock price suggests that's precisely how some of their investors view it.

The Guardian - Money

Incidentally, the unheralded news from Monday's announcement might be that spending on maintenance is going to be less than planned for: Action for Roads talks of another £12bn for maintenance; Monday's Road Investment Strategy speaks of "more than £10bn" additional money for maintenance of national and local roads.

The Guardian

The Sun, boosted by its cheap holidays offer, did best of all, recording a 4.57% rise (and, incidentally, we must wait until next month to assess the effect of its dropping Page 3).

The Guardian

Dortmund were one of the clubs in favour of embracing the 21st century, incidentally, but that was scant consolation when they found themselves on the wrong end of another wrong goalline decision in their 2-0 DFB Cup final defeat to Bayern.

The Guardian - Sport

I spoke to Irene Picton from the Young Readers Programme at the National Literacy Trust (literacytrust.org.uk) – incidentally, Picton didn't learn to read till she was seven.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Incidentally I'm getting a lot of questions about what the Brownlees are like - you can read the longer answer in my piece below, but the short answer is that they're both top blokes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Incidentally" to introduce information that is related to the main topic but not essential to the core argument. It helps to add context or provide additional details without disrupting the flow.

Common error

Avoid using "Incidentally" too frequently within a single piece of writing, as it can make your writing seem disjointed or unfocused. Use it sparingly to highlight truly relevant side notes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Incidentally" is as an adverbial disjunct. As Ludwig AI suggests, it serves to connect a statement to the preceding discourse while indicating that it is somewhat tangential or parenthetical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Incidentally" is a versatile adverb used to introduce tangential but related information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in news and media. While it is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, overuse should be avoided to maintain focus. Alternatives like "by the way" or "as an aside" can provide similar meaning. Remember to use "Incidentally" to add context without disrupting the main flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

By the way

A common alternative used to introduce a related but not essential point.

As a side note

Introduces additional information related to the topic at hand.

Parenthetically

Similar to "Incidentally", it indicates a remark that is not essential to the main point.

As an aside

Used to signal a digression from the main topic.

Tangentially

Highlights a connection that is not directly central to the main discussion.

In passing

This phrase indicates a brief or casual mention of something.

On a separate note

Indicates a shift to a related but distinct topic.

Speaking of which

Connects the current topic to something previously mentioned.

As a matter of fact

Introduces a statement of fact, often providing additional relevant details.

For the record

Used to add something to the discussion that may be important to remember.

FAQs

How can I use "Incidentally" in a sentence?

"Incidentally" is typically used to introduce a related but not essential piece of information. For example, "We're going to the park; "incidentally", bring your frisbee."

What's a good alternative to "Incidentally"?

Alternatives to "Incidentally" include "By the way", "As an aside", or "Parenthetically". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "Incidentally" formal or informal?

"Incidentally" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, be mindful of your audience and choose the most appropriate phrase for the situation.

Can I start a paragraph with "Incidentally"?

While it's grammatically correct, starting a paragraph with "Incidentally" might make the paragraph feel disconnected. Consider whether the information is truly tangential or if it deserves its own fully developed paragraph.