as a side issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a side issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a topic that is not the main focus of discussion but is still relevant. Example: "While the main topic of our meeting is budget cuts, I would like to address the environmental impact of our operations as a side issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But they weren't very Muslim; they only saw Islam as a side issue.

Independent

Treating plagiarism as a side issue was an uncharacteristic blunder on her part.

The Economist

Yet psychological therapies continue to be treated as a side issue.

The Guardian

Says Goldberg, for many men, abortion is seen as a "side issue" or nuisance topic – even among progressives.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in recent years both sides have treated the emergency contraceptive pills as a side issue in the wider debate over abortion.

The New York Times

Sumita Dasgupta of the Centre for Science and Environment, a think-tank, sees "privatisation" as a side issue, as it is, in its fullest sense, inconceivable in India.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Anonymous, New York City "In spite of several attempts I was unable to obtain any contributor in the states west of Minnesota or south of the Ohio River," Huntington explains, as if it were a side issue.

The New Yorker

Some folks treat permit allocation as if it's a side issue, tangential to the success of the core emission reduction system.

Huffington Post

"This isn't a side issue — it is fully as important as wilderness".

The New York Times - Science

For nearly a century after the end of the Civil War, historians treated slavery as a "footnote or exception," a side issue to the story of liberty in America, said Eric Foner, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

The Washington Post

A few months ago, Major Hasan's assertion that he grew a beard out of devotion to his Muslim faith seemed a side issue as pretrial hearings were held at a military court on the base.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a side issue", ensure the side issue is genuinely related to the main topic to maintain coherence.

Common error

Avoid turning what is intended as a minor point introduced by "as a side issue" into the main subject of your writing or conversation. Keep the focus on the principal topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a side issue" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that something is being mentioned as a secondary or less important consideration. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a side issue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to introduce secondary or tangential information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedias, it serves to signal that the following point is related but less important than the main topic. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to keep the focus on the primary discussion and prevent the side issue from overshadowing it. Alternatives such as "as an aside" or "incidentally" can be used to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an aside

Focuses on the tangential nature of the comment or topic.

incidentally

Highlights the casual and somewhat unplanned introduction of the topic.

by the way

Indicates a shift to a related but not central point.

on a related note

Suggests a connection to the main topic while still being distinct.

tangentially related

Emphasizes the indirect connection to the primary subject.

in passing

Implies a brief and quick mention of the subject.

as a digression

Highlights the departure from the main topic for a brief exploration.

secondarily

Directly indicates the lower importance of the subject.

in addition

Adds a supplementary point that is not central.

parenthetically

Indicates the information is supplementary and could be removed without affecting the main point.

FAQs

How can I use "as a side issue" in a sentence?

Use "as a side issue" to introduce a secondary point that is related to the main topic. For example, "We need to discuss the budget, and "as a side issue", we should consider environmental impact."

What is a good alternative to "as a side issue"?

Alternatives include "as an aside", "incidentally", or "by the way", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to introduce a side issue?

No, introducing a side issue is only necessary if it adds relevant context or information without distracting from the main point. If it's irrelevant, it's best to omit it.

What's the difference between "as a side issue" and "in addition"?

"As a side issue" indicates a somewhat tangential point, while "in addition" simply adds another point that is directly related and of similar importance. "As a side issue" signals that the information is less critical.