an amusing aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an amusing aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a humorous or interesting comment that is not the main focus of the discussion. Example: "During the lecture, the professor shared an amusing aside about his first day of teaching, which had everyone laughing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As an amusing aside, I've also made my home in a part of London called Denmark Hill.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Quoting a passage in which Plantinga reports the results of some calculations with probabilities, Myers asks, "First, an amusing aside: [Plantinga acknowledges] the assistance of someone else in doing those calculations.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

(As an amusing aside of the "chickens come home to roost" variety, the Republican convention is being held in Ohio, which has open carry laws, and law enforcement and politicians are already afraid.

Huffington Post

As an amusing aside – unless your name is Randy Pitchford, I guess – the Overwatch beta launched the day after Battleborn came out in stores, on May the 3rd, which flattened what little momentum Gearbox's stylised squad-based shooter had going for it.

Vice

5.14pm BST An amusing aside courtesy of the former BBC radio DJ Danny Baker Danny Bakerr (@prodnose) Don't like BBC Trust.

The Guardian

Australian and British Soccer Weekly's Greg Blake put it best by calling the shootouts an "amusing aside" which "stunk the place up".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For every amusing aside there is a seriousness alongside.

The Guardian - Film

(Just an amusing environmental aside.

Huffington Post

There was one amusing aside to this savings drive though: suddenly Osborne has seen the virtue of government debt when rebranded as a pensioner bond.

The Guardian - Opinion

The opinion contained one amusing aside involving The Times, whose parent company is mired in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Forbes

An Unnatural Pursuit contains many slyly amusing asides (as when Pinter blames a hangover on the dyspeptic effects of white wine, and Gray comments, "I've observed that quite a few people, amongst them myself, consider that white wine is an alternative to alcohol, which is probably a mistake") but no hilarious comic set-pieces like those in its sequel, How's That for Telling 'Em, Fat Lady?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When incorporating "an amusing aside", keep it brief and to the point. An overly long or convoluted aside can detract from your main argument and lose the reader's attention.

Common error

Avoid peppering your text with too many "amusing asides", as this can make your writing seem unfocused and undermine your credibility. Use them sparingly and only when they genuinely enhance the reader's experience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "an amusing aside" is to serve as an introductory phrase. It signals a digression from the main topic, introducing a brief, humorous, or interesting comment. Ludwig examples show it often prefaces a sentence or clause that provides additional, lighthearted information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an amusing aside" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a brief, humorous digression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it finds its place primarily in News & Media, Wiki and Science, offering a touch of levity or interest to otherwise serious or formal content. Alternatives include "a humorous digression" or "a lighthearted comment", depending on the desired tone. When using the phrase, it's important to maintain relevance and avoid overuse to ensure clarity and focus in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lighthearted digression

Similar in structure but replaces "amusing" with "lighthearted", focusing on the joyful or carefree nature of the aside.

a humorous digression

Replaces "amusing" with "humorous", focusing more explicitly on the intent to be funny; slightly more formal.

a funny little story

More informal and conversational than "an amusing aside", suggesting a brief, lighthearted narrative.

a comical tangent

Emphasizes the digressive nature of the comment and its intention to be comical.

a witty observation

Highlights the intelligence and cleverness of the comment.

on a lighter note

Signals a shift to a more cheerful or less serious topic.

by the way

A more casual and common way to introduce a related but not essential piece of information.

as a point of interest

Introduces information that may be intriguing or relevant, but not directly related to the main topic.

incidentally

A more formal way to introduce something that's related but not essential to the main point.

a passing remark

Focuses on the brevity and unimportance of the comment.

FAQs

How can I use "an amusing aside" in a sentence?

You can use "an amusing aside" to introduce a brief, humorous or interesting comment that is related to the main topic but not essential to it. For example, "The presentation was informative, and as "an amusing aside", the speaker shared a funny personal story".

What are some alternatives to "an amusing aside"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a humorous digression", "a funny little story", or "a lighthearted digression". These phrases convey a similar meaning but with slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "an amusing aside" in formal writing?

While "an amusing aside" can add personality to your writing, it's generally more suitable for informal or semi-formal contexts. In very formal writing, consider using a more neutral phrase like "incidentally" or "as a point of interest".

What's the difference between "an amusing aside" and "a funny story"?

While both involve humor, "an amusing aside" is typically a brief comment or remark, whereas "a funny story" is a more developed narrative with a beginning, middle, and end. An aside is often tangential, while a story may be more central to the topic.