an incidental touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incidental touch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or secondary detail that adds to the overall effect or meaning of something. Example: "The artist's use of color was striking, but it was the incidental touch of gold leaf that truly brought the painting to life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The shoes were an incidental touch.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Incidental touches, ranging from music and food to industrial catastrophes and looming violence, evoke a nation out of joint and its lost generations to come.

The New Yorker

Stats often highlight an incidental truth.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a significant and strangely painful touch, an incidental yet cavalier disdain that becomes all the more significant in the scene that follows, a drunken and raucous erotic bull session with Nancy, her friends (all middle-aged white women), and the dancers.

The New Yorker

Now I am an "incidental journalist".

The New York Times

But I'm an incidental role model.

The New York Times - Magazine

And pleasure was really an incidental benefit.

The New Yorker

This isn't an incidental point.

The Guardian - Music

Physical pleasure is an incidental adjunct in their dangerous contests.

The Guardian

All the while, Djokovic seemed an incidental bystander.

The Guardian - Sport

Most CAF present as an incidental finding.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an incidental touch" when you want to subtly highlight a minor detail that enhances the overall composition, but isn't necessarily crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "an incidental touch" to describe something of central importance. The phrase is best suited for elements that add nuance rather than drive the main point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incidental touch" functions as a noun phrase, where 'incidental' modifies 'touch'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show it describing minor or secondary details.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incidental touch" is a noun phrase used to describe a minor yet enhancing detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While grammatically sound, it's important to reserve this phrase for truly non-essential elements to avoid misrepresentation. Consider alternatives like "a minor detail" or "a subtle detail" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor detail

Focuses on the insignificance of the element.

a subtle detail

Emphasizes the delicacy and unobtrusiveness of the detail.

a secondary feature

Highlights that the element is not primary or essential.

a peripheral aspect

Indicates the element is on the edge or outside the main focus.

an accompanying element

Stresses that the element is present along with something else.

a non-essential component

Clarifies that the element is not required or crucial.

a supplementary detail

Suggests the element adds to or completes something else.

a passing mention

Indicates the element is only briefly referred to.

a side note

Represents a comment that is separate from the main topic.

a trivial addition

Highlights the insignificance and unimportance of the addition.

FAQs

How to use "an incidental touch" in a sentence?

Use "an incidental touch" to describe a minor detail that enhances the main subject. For example, "The artist's use of color was striking, but it was "an incidental touch" of gold leaf that truly brought the painting to life."

What can I say instead of "an incidental touch"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor detail", "a subtle detail", or "a secondary feature" depending on the specific context.

Is "incidental touch" formal or informal?

The phrase ""an incidental touch"" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is most common in writing that requires some level of sophistication. In very casual conversation, simpler terms might be preferred.

How does "an incidental touch" differ from "a key element"?

"An incidental touch" refers to a minor, non-essential detail, while "a key element" refers to a crucial, indispensable part. They are opposites in terms of importance.