Parenthetically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Parenthetically" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a statement or remark that is not essential to the main point but provides additional information or clarification. Example: "The meeting, parenthetically, was scheduled for next Tuesday, not this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Officially known as the Republic of the Congo, the country is often called Congo (Brazzaville), with its capital added parenthetically, to distinguish it from neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is often referred to by its acronym, the DRC, or called Congo (Kinshasa).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Throughout this article the orders or families are given, usually parenthetically, following the vernacular or scientific name of a plant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It should be mentioned parenthetically that the field concept also plays (in varied forms) a pivotal role in modern theories of particles and forces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The country is often referred to by its acronym, the DRC, or called Congo (Kinshasa), with the capital added parenthetically, to distinguish it from the other Congo republic, which is officially called the Republic of the Congo and is often referred to as Congo (Brazzaville).

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, I've come to believe after many years of working in America's political process — I would add parenthetically add that I'm a recovering politician now, on about step nine — I've come to see it and the world's political system as having at least one thing in common with the climate system: it's non-linear.

The New Yorker

(I remember, parenthetically, interviewing the great Eritrean-born marathoner Meb Keflezighi about what it felt like to race against the great Ethiopian marathoners, and all of a sudden his normally sunny disposition turned deadly serious. Do not underestimate the bad blood in some of these national rivalries).

The New Yorker

He adds, parenthetically, that "neither The New York Times, The New Yorker nor New York Magazine ran a word about 'Opening Night' during the entire time Cassavetes was in the city to set up the screenings nor during the film's release".

The New Yorker

And I think this has been an endemic problem, parenthetically, in the clean-tech space, which has attracted a lot of very talented people who believe they're making the world a better place".

The New Yorker

Parenthetically, it's impossible for me not to sympathize with him.

The New Yorker

(My wife notes, just parenthetically, that I did stick my finger in a light socket once).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It seems we have something to learn from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose concurring opinion today in Holt v Hobbs, a religious liberty case involving a Muslim inmate's beard, came in at 65 words, including references and parentheticals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Parenthetically" to add extra information or clarification without disrupting the main flow of your writing. It works best when the aside is brief and relevant.

Common error

Avoid cluttering your writing with too many parenthetical statements. Overuse can make your writing seem disorganized and difficult to follow. If a detail is crucial, integrate it directly into the main sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Parenthetically" is to act as an adverb, modifying a sentence or clause to indicate that the information being presented is an aside or an incidental remark. Ludwig AI confirms its role in adding supplementary information without being crucial to the main point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "Parenthetically" is a versatile tool for inserting non-essential but relevant information into your writing. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While "Parenthetically" can enhance your text by providing additional context or clarification, be mindful of its overuse, as too many asides can disrupt the flow. Alternatives like "as an aside" or "incidentally" can be employed for variety. By mastering its use, you can effectively enrich your communication without compromising clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As an aside

This phrase directly indicates a departure from the main topic.

As a side note

Directly indicates that the information is additional and not central.

Incidentally

This term highlights the casual and non-essential nature of the comment.

By the way

Suggests a shift in focus or a tangential addition.

In passing

Implies a brief and quick mention of something.

In parenthesis

Refers to the use of parentheses to enclose additional information.

By the by

An older, slightly more formal way of saying 'by the way'.

On a separate note

Highlights the distinctness of the additional comment.

Tangentially

Indicates a connection that is not directly related to the main topic.

In other words

Implies restating the previous sentence but it's used to provide some further information.

FAQs

How can I use "Parenthetically" in a sentence?

"Parenthetically" is used to insert an additional comment or explanation that is not essential to the main point. For example, "The meeting, parenthetically, will be held next Tuesday."

What can I say instead of "Parenthetically"?

You can use alternatives like "as an aside", "incidentally", or "by the way" depending on the context.

Is it better to use parentheses or "Parenthetically" in writing?

Using parentheses is more direct for enclosing asides. "Parenthetically" is useful when you want to explicitly signal that you are adding extra information, but overuse can be disruptive. Parentheses are generally preferable for brief, non-essential details.

What's the difference between "Parenthetically" and "Incidentally"?

"Parenthetically" specifically relates to adding information as an aside, similar to what would be in parentheses. "Incidentally" is broader, meaning something happened as a minor or chance occurrence alongside something else. While they can sometimes be interchangeable, "Parenthetically" is more focused on the act of adding extra information.