a casual remark

USAGE SUMMARY

'a casual remark' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was said in a relaxed or informal way. For example, "John made a casual remark about the weather, but I noticed that he was deep in thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Like clouds that casually come, How a casual remark, made by author when accepting a dinner invitation, was misinterpreted by the host.

The New Yorker

"It was only a casual remark," Loach gulps.

The Guardian - Film

Does a casual remark from an acquaintance get cataloged as a criticism and obsessed over?

The New York Times - Magazine

Evgeny Kissin did it in a casual remark to a presenter.

The Washington Post

In the letter she had written a casual remark about Helga which might have insulted her.

The New Yorker

How a casual remark, made by author when accepting a dinner invitation, was misinterpreted by the host.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The whole of her anti-ideology can be found in a deceptively casual remark she slipped into a 1975 review (inexplicably omitted from this collection) of New York City Ballet's Ravel festival: "The audience for the Ravel festival probably included a lot of people who prefer acting to dancing -- who like ballets that make you think.

The New York Times - Books

"You're a pretty girl, though, so I'm sure you've got other people to chill with". It's cringe-worthy, but was it a signal that something is wrong, or a thoughtlessly casual remark that can be ignored?

Los Angeles Times

He then came out with a seemingly casual remark that grabbed me by the googlies.

The Guardian - Sport

A first, casual remark is that the way the (spherical) retina records the visual field uses its projective properties; it is on a rather functional level that we wan think of "the" affine visual field related to it by central projection from the retina (eye movements are amazingly well adapted to this reconstruction: see [28] for a discussion of motor computation in the Listing plane).

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

By then, it was "Pinteresque" the way Robert Shaw, blessed by the author's laconic rhythms and unsmiling hostility, could let the words "I don't know" carry a weight (and a wait) of threat and imposition -- while remaining the casual remark of a man who knows so little as to be a simpleton.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a casual remark" to introduce an idea or statement that was made without much forethought or planning. It's particularly useful when the remark has unintended consequences or reveals something significant.

Common error

Be careful not to portray "a casual remark" as overly profound or impactful if the context doesn't support it. Ensure the weight given to the remark aligns with its actual influence in the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a casual remark" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing statements made without careful consideration, often leading to unforeseen outcomes. It highlights the informality and spontaneity of the comment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a casual remark" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe a comment made without much thought or planning. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and perfectly usable in written English. It often highlights the unexpected consequences or significance that can arise from seemingly insignificant statements. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, showcasing its versatility. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid overstating the remark's importance if the situation doesn't warrant it. Alternatives like "an offhand comment" or "a passing comment" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an offhand comment

Emphasizes the lack of premeditation in the remark.

a passing comment

Highlights the brief and fleeting nature of the remark.

a spontaneous comment

Focuses on the unplanned and impulsive nature of the statement.

a thoughtless comment

Suggests a lack of consideration or care in the remark.

a flippant comment

Implies a disrespectful or trivializing attitude in the remark.

a chance observation

Focuses on the accidental or incidental nature of the remark.

a quick aside

Highlights the brief and tangential nature of the comment.

an unconsidered statement

Emphasizes the lack of deliberation in the remark.

an informal observation

Highlights the relaxed and non-ceremonial nature of the remark.

a lighthearted comment

Implies a jovial or amusing intention behind the remark.

FAQs

How can I use "a casual remark" in a sentence?

"A casual remark" can be used to describe a statement made without much thought. For example, "His downfall began with "a casual remark" about his colleague's work ethic."

What are some alternatives to saying "a casual remark"?

Alternatives include "an offhand comment", "a passing comment", or "a spontaneous comment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a casual remark" and "a flippant remark"?

While both imply a lack of seriousness, "a casual remark" simply suggests informality or lack of premeditation, whereas "a flippant remark" suggests disrespect or a dismissive attitude.

Can "a casual remark" have serious consequences?

Yes, often the impact of "a casual remark" lies in its unintended consequences. It can inadvertently reveal sensitive information, offend someone, or trigger unexpected events as demonstrated in many Ludwig examples.