an intriguing aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intriguing aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a comment or observation that is interesting but not central to the main topic being discussed. Example: "During the lecture, the professor made an intriguing aside about the historical context of the subject matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And an intriguing aside is that, in essence, the reason is that the kidneys have a sense of smell.What they are smelling is propionic acid, a substance that several species of gut bacteria produce in quantity.

The Economist

Embedded in the Times' Sunday profile of Salman Rushdie was an intriguing aside regarding the author's recent reading at the PEN World Voices Festival, in New York, where he appeared in conjunction with Umberto Eco.

The New Yorker

— Ligaya Mishan Embedded in the Times' Sunday profile of Salman Rushdie was an intriguing aside regarding the author's recent reading at the PEN World Voices Festival, in New York, where he appeared in conjunction with Umberto Eco.

The New Yorker

In an intriguing aside, an online public referendum of senior clergymen saw Kirill win by less than 2% in a poll of 76,000 votes, with 41.1% in total.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an intriguing aside, Glasgow University's professor Patrick O'Donnell says that, though many boomers have given up on the drink and drugs, they have not abandoned the sexual mores of their youth: clinics now report a rise in sexually transmitted diseases among the over-70s.

The Guardian - Opinion

By Ligaya Mishan August 12, 2008 Embedded in the Times' Sunday profile of Salman Rushdie was an intriguing aside regarding the author's recent reading at the PEN World Voices Festival, in New York, where he appeared in conjunction with Umberto Eco.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

How they did, and how they became Hungary's quest for the holy grail, is a gripping tale, helped along by Mr Tanner's penchant for intriguing asides.

The Economist

In front of Carthy's mic there is what looks like a clothes rail from which dangles jewellery that adds shimmering percussion at various intervals and gets its own starring role on a mad bit of thrash, while Eriksen drops in intriguing asides such as: "I started writing this in 1988 when I was living in India …" It's not all extreme, however.

The Guardian - Music

There are some intriguing asides: if you remove the juggler's clothes, where, and at what, does the audience look?

The Guardian

Strewn throughout this volume, too, are intriguing asides about Rome's fascination with water and its plethora of fountains; its architects' love of different colors of marble, gathered from the far reaches of its empire; and the engineering feats involved in, say, executing the wish of Pope Sixtus V to move a 361-ton Egyptian obelisk from the back of the new Basilica of St. Peter's to the front.

The New York Times - Books

There are intriguing asides, such as how when Occupy movement participants went back to work, they were struck by how hierarchical their workplaces were, though it is less clear if they did anything about it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When incorporating "an intriguing aside", ensure it is relevant and enhances the reader's understanding of the primary topic rather than causing confusion.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of asides, as they can distract readers from the main point. Ensure that each aside adds value and does not derail the overall narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intriguing aside" functions as an introductory element. It signals the introduction of a comment or piece of information that is interesting but not central to the main topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an intriguing aside" is a grammatically sound and contextually valuable expression used to introduce interesting but non-essential information, confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to enrich discussions by adding depth and perspective. To wield it effectively, ensure that asides remain relevant and enhance, rather than distract from, the main point. Alternatives like "a fascinating digression" can offer nuanced variations. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can leverage "an intriguing aside" to craft more engaging and informative content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fascinating digression

Focuses on the captivating nature of the side comment while highlighting its deviation from the main topic.

an interesting tangent

Emphasizes the deviation from the main subject matter, highlighting the interesting nature of the new direction.

a curious digression

Highlights the element of curiosity and deviation from the primary subject.

a remarkable interjection

Focuses on the striking or noteworthy quality of the inserted remark.

a compelling sidebar

Suggests a captivating and supplementary element alongside the primary content.

a noteworthy parenthesis

Highlights the significant and enclosed nature of the additional remark.

a stimulating observation

Focuses on the thought-provoking quality of the comment.

a captivating footnote

Highlights the engaging and supplementary detail, often found at the end of the page.

a compelling annotation

Emphasizes the persuasive and explanatory quality of the added note or comment.

an appealing parenthesis

This highlights that the information is engaging and enclosed within a larger context.

FAQs

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

"An intriguing aside" is used to introduce a related but not essential point that adds interest to the discussion. For example, "The speaker mentioned the company's profits, and, as an intriguing aside, noted their charitable contributions".

What are some alternatives to "an intriguing aside"?

Alternatives include "a fascinating digression", "an interesting tangent", or "a curious digression", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "an intriguing aside" can be used in formal writing to introduce supplementary information, but ensure it remains relevant and doesn't detract from the main argument.

What's the difference between "an intriguing aside" and /s/a+relevant+detail?

"An intriguing aside" introduces information that is interesting but not strictly necessary, while "a relevant detail" provides information that is directly pertinent to the main subject.