a passing remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing remark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comment or statement that is made quickly or without much thought, often in a casual context. Example: "During the meeting, she made a passing remark about the project's timeline that caught everyone's attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

What had seemed a passing remark proved to be predictive.

The New York Times

It is simply recorded as a passing remark.

The New York Times - Books

"But it was meant in jest, and it was strictly a passing remark".

The New York Times

Raphael's beguiling La Fornarina, several rooms away, received only a passing remark.

The New York Times - Travel

If it was only a passing remark, why did you tell Mr. Munger about Mr. Sokol's investment?

The New York Times

The death of a circus elephant shapes generations of a small town; a passing remark ruins a plotted-out life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

George Will had an interesting passing remark early on in his interview with Brett Tomlinson -- "our current understanding of partisan journalism". The idea of journalism as a high-minded confrontation of ideas is a relatively modern concept.

Princeton University

She has been subjected to appalling pressure from her own community for an entirely innocent passing remark made at a literary event".

The Guardian

A few passing remarks take note of how, over the years, he has found it ever harder to write; and the passing remarks become insistent.

The New York Times

In a press release Okairos said the deal included a "small number of early-stage assets".That passing remark turned out to be a big deal.

The Economist

To their credit, this passing remark is their only attempt to get Wolf on the couch.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing remark" to downplay the significance of a statement, indicating it was not intended to be a major point of discussion. For instance, "He dismissed the concern with a passing remark about market fluctuations".

Common error

Avoid using "a passing remark" when the comment had significant consequences or sparked a major debate. This phrase is meant to minimize importance, so using it in a high-stakes situation can create dissonance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing remark" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a brief or incidental statement made during a conversation or discourse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing remark" is a common noun phrase used to describe a brief, incidental comment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and best used to downplay the importance of a statement. It appears frequently in news and media contexts but is also found in academic and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with your intention to minimize the significance of the comment, and avoid using it if the remark had substantial consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passing comment

Simplifies the phrase by removing the word remark, retaining the sense of brevity.

a casual comment

Replaces "remark" with a more general term for a spoken statement and "passing" with a casual tone.

a fleeting comment

Uses "fleeting" to emphasize the brief nature of the comment, instead of "passing".

a brief observation

Replaces "remark" with "observation", suggesting a more thoughtful, though still brief, comment.

an incidental comment

Highlights that the comment was not central to the main topic, but occurred alongside it.

a quick aside

Focuses on the comment being a deviation from the main discussion.

a throwaway line

Emphasizes that the remark was made without much consideration or importance.

a hasty statement

Highlights that the remark was said quickly, possibly without due consideration.

a chance remark

Indicates that the comment was made randomly or unexpectedly.

a superficial comment

Focuses on the lack of depth of the comment.

FAQs

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

Use "a passing remark" to describe a comment that is brief and not of central importance to the discussion. For example, "She made "a passing remark" about the weather before getting to the main topic".

What is a good alternative to "a passing remark"?

Alternatives to "a passing remark" include "a casual comment", "a fleeting comment", or "a brief observation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a passing remark" and "a throwaway line"?

While both phrases describe brief comments, ""a passing remark"" is more neutral, simply indicating brevity. "a throwaway line" implies the comment was also made without much thought or importance.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a passing remark"?

Avoid using ""a passing remark"" if the comment in question had significant consequences or was clearly intended to be taken seriously. This phrase is best used for incidental, unimportant comments.