ancillary topics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancillary topics" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to secondary or supplementary subjects that are related to a main topic. Example: "In our discussion, we will also cover some ancillary topics that support our main thesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ancillary topics like free agency and drug testing still need to be resolved.

The New York Times - Sports

This is the preferred method of billing for most attorneys, not necessarily because it results in more total fees, but because the lawyer has at least some assurance she will not end up working "for free" when the client inevitably has additional questions, makes unexpected changes, or requires counsel on ancillary topics.

TechCrunch

Digressing into histories of such ancillary topics as the Hoboken music scene, Matador Records, South by Southwest and Pitchfork Media, Jarnow does try to tell a story that's larger than these three reserved individuals (James McNew became the band's permanent bassist in 1991).

Los Angeles Times

Sub-samples ("modules") are asked additional questions on ancillary topics after the main survey [ 18].

BMC Geriatrics

We conducted limited (Google Scholar) literature reviews for ancillary topics that are discussed briefly in this article, namely human resource retention in low and middle income countries, research on locational preferences among health care workers and new public management.

Health Policy and Planning

Complex, ancillary topics such as expansion of affordable, accessible housing, transportation access, and improved livability of communities have been omitted because of space limitations but also need to be addressed by public policy.

The Gerontologist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Theoretical biology, with biomathematics and biostatistics, for that matter, was at best an ancillary discipline, an illustrative topic.

Science Magazine

Admittedly, IKK-α may play a more dominant role in NF-κB activation as compared to IKK-β mediated NF-κB activation in A375 cells, but this topic is ancillary to the conclusion of this study.

Plosone

In other words, these are works (or sections of works) taking as their subject matter the tenets or doctrines of the philosophers, rather than independent works of philosophy in which the author addresses in the first instance issues or topics of philosophy, with ancillary discussion along the way of the opinions of other philosophers.

SEP

The ancillary service is becoming a promising topic to further assist the grid control, enhance the grid power quality and, at the same time, to improve the cost effectiveness of power electronic based DGs and microgrids.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

In this spirit, several new ancillary studies are planned to investigate clinical topics across diverse fields, such as residual β-cell function, hearing dysfunction, and gastric disturbances.

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ancillary topics", ensure they are genuinely related to the main subject to avoid confusing your audience. Provide a clear connection between the main topic and the ancillary ones.

Common error

Avoid giving undue weight to "ancillary topics" in your writing or presentation. Keep the focus on the primary subject matter, and present ancillary topics as supporting or supplementary information only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary topics" functions as a noun phrase, where "ancillary" modifies "topics". This phrase typically identifies subjects that are supplementary or secondary to a main subject, providing additional context or detail as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ancillary topics" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for referring to supplementary or related subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common use. It is most frequently found in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a formal or semi-formal register. To enhance clarity in writing, ensure that "ancillary topics" are clearly connected to the main subject and avoid overemphasizing them. Alternatives include "supplementary subjects" and "related subtopics". Being mindful of the context will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplementary subjects

Emphasizes the addition of extra information.

related subtopics

Highlights the connection to a broader subject.

secondary themes

Focuses on the less prominent themes within a discussion.

peripheral matters

Suggests the topics are not central to the main focus.

supporting details

Implies the topics provide evidence or context to a main point.

additional subjects

Highlights the inclusion of more topics.

associated themes

Focuses on the link or connection to the core theme.

incidental issues

Suggests the topics are minor and happen occasionally.

tangential discussions

Indicates that the topics deviate slightly from the main point.

collateral subjects

Implies that the topics are related but not directly relevant.

FAQs

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

You can use "ancillary topics" to introduce related but less important subjects. For example, "The main focus of the presentation is marketing strategy, but we will also touch on some "related topics" such as customer service and brand awareness."

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

Depending on the context, you could use "supplementary subjects", "related subtopics", or "secondary themes" as alternatives to "ancillary topics".

Are "ancillary topics" always less important?

While "ancillary topics" are generally secondary to the main subject, they can still provide valuable context or support. Their importance depends on their relevance to the primary discussion.

How do I determine which topics are "ancillary"?

Topics are considered "ancillary" if they are related to the main subject but not essential for understanding its core concepts. They provide additional information or perspectives but are not the primary focus.