a side note

USAGE SUMMARY

"a side note" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a comment or thought that is not directly related to the main topic. For example, "A side note: I was surprised by the amount of traffic on the highway this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here is a side note on Sheehey.

The New York Times

Now a side note here.

Yale University

"On a side note, I must admit my guilt.

The Guardian - Sport

But that was a side note to Gonzalez's remarkable season.

The New York Times

The eating itself is a side note, really.

The New York Times

And on a side note, the Clippers lost 21 of first 29 games this season.

The New York Times

As a side note, trusts are no longer the province of the very rich.

The New York Times

On a side note, the Paris Opera has a good record with women directors.

The New Yorker

As a side note, he had been running the park without insurance.

The New Yorker

As a side note, we have very strict rules regarding birthday cakes.

The New Yorker

As a side note, the study also helps referee a contentious political debate.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the side note is clearly demarcated from the main text, either through punctuation (e.g. parentheses, em dashes) or paragraph breaks.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "a side note", as it can clutter your writing and detract from your primary message. If a point is crucial, integrate it directly into the main text instead of relegating it to a side note.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a side note" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals the inclusion of additional, often tangential, information that is related to the main topic but not central to it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a side note" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce supplementary information that is related to the main topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. While versatile, it is important to use it judiciously to avoid disrupting the flow of your writing and ensure that the "a side note" remains relevant. Consider more formal alternatives such as "as an aside" for academic or professional settings. Overusing this phrase can lead to cluttered writing, so integrate crucial points directly into the main text instead. This phrase is very frequent according to linguistic analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an aside

More concise and emphasizes the digressive nature of the comment.

on a tangential note

Emphasizes that the information is related but not directly relevant.

incidentally

Highlights the casual or unexpected nature of the additional information.

as a brief digression

Highlights a temporary departure from the main topic.

by the way

Informal and conversational way to introduce a related but separate point.

parenthetically speaking

More formal and explicitly indicates that the information is supplementary.

just so you know

Informal way to provide additional context or background.

in passing

Suggests the information is mentioned briefly and not the main focus.

in parenthesis

Explicitly indicates that the additional information is contained within parentheses.

for your information

Offers additional information that may be useful or interesting.

FAQs

How can I use "a side note" in a sentence?

Use "a side note" to introduce tangential but relevant information. For example, "The main topic is budget allocation. "A side note": we should consider potential tax implications."

What's a more formal alternative to "a side note"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "as an aside" or "parenthetically speaking".

Is "a side note" appropriate for academic writing?

"A side note" is generally acceptable, but in formal academic writing, consider rephrasing the information to integrate it smoothly into the main text or using a footnote. Alternatively, use "incidentally" or "in passing".

What is the difference between "a side note" and "a footnote"?

"A side note" is often integrated directly into the text, while a footnote is placed at the bottom of the page or end of the document. Footnotes are generally more formal and used for citations or detailed explanations.