a brief aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a short comment or remark that is not directly related to the main topic but is still relevant or interesting. Example: "In discussing the impact of climate change, I want to make a brief aside about the importance of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Before we go on, a brief aside.

The Guardian - Books

A brief aside on units and temperature scales is in order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a brief aside, he admits to discussing pornography while he was a law student.

The New Yorker

Its only mention on publication in 1989 was a brief aside in Campaign.

The Guardian - Books

That comment about America's past was inspired by a brief aside in my grandmother's oral history.

The New Yorker

Gordon Brown gave him a brief aside on Monday, but since then, nothing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Given the nature of cricket and cricket politics in South Africa over the years, it's remarkable that a brief period aside, he's been a fixture in the team when all around him were being skewered for cricketing and non-cricketing reasons.

The Guardian - Sport

Incidentally, Ladies and Gentlemen, as a brief point aside: I can only welcome and commend The Guardian's "Keep it in the ground" campaign, which has proved so clear, compelling and powerfully resonant with many millions of people around the world.

The Guardian

Ditto, his all too brief aside about condoms in the course of a trip to Africa.

Independent

(Brief aside.

The New York Times

"You are a tacky European man!" But this was a brief low-culture aside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief aside" to signal a short, relevant digression that enhances understanding without disrupting the primary flow of information. This prepares the reader for a temporary departure from the main subject.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of asides, as too many digressions can dilute the main message and confuse the reader. Ensure each aside genuinely contributes to the overall clarity or interest of the text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief aside" functions as a discourse marker. It signals to the reader or listener that the speaker is about to introduce a tangential, but related, point. As Ludwig AI states, it introduces a short comment or remark that is not directly related to the main topic but is still relevant or interesting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief aside" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a short, relevant digression in writing or speech. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts, serving to add context or clarification without disrupting the main topic. While generally neutral to formal, it is essential to avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Related phrases include "a quick aside" and "a short comment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting aside

Replaces "brief" with "fleeting", emphasizing the short and transient nature of the digression.

a quick aside

Substitutes "brief" with "quick", highlighting the speed and conciseness of the digression.

a short aside

Replaces "brief" with "short", maintaining the emphasis on the digression's brevity.

a small digression

Uses "digression" instead of "aside", adding a slightly more formal tone and emphasizing the deviation from the main topic; also replaces "brief" with "small".

a brief digression

Uses "digression" instead of "aside", adding a slightly more formal tone and emphasizing the deviation from the main topic.

a passing comment

Shifts the focus to the nature of the aside as a comment, rather than a digression, and replacing "brief" with "passing".

a tangential remark

Emphasizes the indirect relevance of the remark to the main topic, using "tangential" and "remark" instead of "brief" and "aside".

incidentally

Single word that can introduce an aside, signaling a somewhat related but not essential point.

by the way

A common idiomatic phrase used to introduce a digression or shift the topic slightly.

in passing

Implies the aside is mentioned quickly and without detailed discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief aside" in a sentence?

"A brief aside", is typically used to introduce a tangential but relevant point. For instance, "While discussing the economic impact, a brief aside on social costs is necessary".

What are some alternatives to using "a brief aside"?

You can use alternatives like "a quick note", "a short comment", or "incidentally" to introduce a related but tangential point.

When is it appropriate to use "a brief aside" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "a brief aside" when you want to add context, clarify a point, or provide additional information that is relevant but not central to the main argument or narrative.

How does "a brief aside" differ from a detailed explanation?

"A brief aside" is meant to be short and to the point, unlike a detailed explanation which explores a topic comprehensively. A detailed explanation provides an in-depth analysis, while "a brief aside" offers a quick, related observation or comment.