ancillary comment

USAGE SUMMARY

"ancillary comment" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a remark that is supplementary or supportive to the main point. For example, "In my report, I included an ancillary comment to clarify my main argument." Alternative expressions include "supplementary remark" and "additional comment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's striking, looking back, to notice that all four recent Hamlets seemed to be set in variations of exactly the same modern dress, with the Dane in a range of anoraks and grungy T-shirts, and the productions making some kind of ancillary comment about contemporary "surveillance society".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the following, we shall review the evidence for these criteria as well as comment on criteria that are listed as ancillary in the DSM-5.

BMC Psychiatry

Seeing Senator Clinton as an ancillary to her husband rather than her own person, minimizing her professional experience, and commenting on how she looks and sounds are quintessential sexism.

The New York Times

"As much as the ancillary madness that surrounds the events is insane, we are a straightforward film screening series with affordable ticket prices," comments the Society's gatekeeper.

Vice

It's ancillary.

The New York Times - Sports

"Those are just ancillary arguments.

The New Yorker

There are ancillary benefits, too.

The Economist

There were ancillary benefits too.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are no ancillary characters.

The New Yorker

Security is not ancillary to any deal.

The New York Times

Ancillary staff actually decreased between 1985 and 1990.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ancillary comment" when you want to introduce a supplementary remark that supports or elaborates on a main point. It's useful in formal writing to signal that the comment is not central but still relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "ancillary comment" to introduce crucial information. It's meant for supportive details, not core arguments. Essential points should be presented directly, not as "ancillary" additions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary comment" functions as a noun phrase, where "ancillary" modifies "comment". It is used to describe a remark that is supplementary or subordinate to a main point. Ludwig indicates its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ancillary comment" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, designed to introduce supplementary remarks that bolster a main point. Ludwig reports that it's suitable for professional and academic writing but remains relatively rare in occurrence. Alternatives such as "supporting remark" or "additional remark" can provide similar nuance. While grammatically correct, remember to use it for genuinely secondary information to avoid misleading your reader. The phrase is seen across news and media outlets and science, according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporting remark

Focuses on the supportive nature of the comment.

additional remark

Emphasizes the comment as being extra or supplementary.

supplemental comment

Highlights the comment's role in adding to the existing information.

secondary observation

Suggests the comment is a less important or subsequent observation.

related note

Indicates a connection or relevance to the main topic.

incidental remark

Implies the comment is not essential or central to the discussion.

peripheral comment

Highlights the comment's tangential or non-core nature.

extra observation

Focuses on the comment as providing additional insight.

collateral statement

Suggests the comment is a related but not directly relevant statement.

side note

Indicates a brief or parenthetical comment.

FAQs

How can I use "ancillary comment" in a sentence?

You can use "ancillary comment" to introduce a supplementary or supportive remark. For example, "I added an ancillary comment to clarify the methodology".

What's a good alternative to "ancillary comment"?

Alternatives include "supporting remark", "additional remark", or "supplemental comment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ancillary comment" formal or informal?

"Ancillary comment" leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for academic papers, reports, or professional communications. For less formal contexts, you might choose something like "side note".

What's the difference between "ancillary comment" and "main point"?

An "ancillary comment" is a supplementary remark that supports or elaborates on a "main point". The main point is the core argument, while the ancillary comment provides additional context or clarification.