but only incidentally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but only incidentally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not the main focus or purpose, but rather a secondary or minor aspect of a situation. Example: "The project aims to improve community engagement, but only incidentally does it address environmental concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nonfiction, but only incidentally.

The New York Times - Books

Most of the programmes on BBC2 are better for colour, but only incidentally.

The Guardian

And where the original novel was compelling but only incidentally amusing, Self's adaptation is brutal and sometimes hysterical.

The Guardian - Books

Lunches got eaten but only incidentally; the point was talk and laughter, which latter became immoderate by dessert time.

The New Yorker

In the course of writing your own testament, you should incidentally answer all the questions in the public's mind, but only incidentally, not as your main theme.

The Guardian

She adds that "Romanticism is essentially about dissidence, about rejection, about protest, about breaking the old rules but only incidentally establishing new ones".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The current book describes itself as a memoir, but that is only incidentally what it is.

The Guardian - Books

But the words are only incidentally, or superficially, what the movie is about.

The New York Times

The rest are only incidentally photographic.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet this is only incidentally a book about psychiatry.

The Guardian - Books

Hot, Flat and Crowded is only incidentally about the environment.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but only incidentally" to clarify that while something might be true or present, it's not the core aspect or intention. This helps avoid misinterpretations about priorities.

Common error

Avoid positioning "but only incidentally" at the beginning of a sentence if the incidental aspect is actually crucial for understanding the main point. Ensure the sentence structure reflects the true level of importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but only incidentally" functions as a conjunction phrase, used to introduce a contrasting element that is of secondary importance. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but only incidentally" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to indicate that something is a secondary or less important aspect of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. When writing, use it to clarify priorities and avoid overemphasizing incidental elements. Consider alternatives like "but in a secondary manner" for variety. Be mindful of sentence structure to accurately reflect the intended importance of different elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but in a secondary manner

Focuses on the secondary nature of something.

but not as the main focus

Emphasizes the lack of primary importance.

but as a side effect

Highlights the incidental nature of something as a consequence.

but merely as a byproduct

Underscores the accidental or unintentional nature.

but just as a consequence

Highlights that the element is only appearing as a consequence.

though not fundamentally

Emphasizes that something is not essential or basic.

yet not as a priority

Indicates something is considered less important.

but peripherally

Suggests something is on the edge or not central.

but secondarily

Directly states something is of second importance.

but subordinately

Indicates something is of lower rank or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "but only incidentally" in a sentence?

Use "but only incidentally" to show that something is a secondary or minor aspect of a situation, for example: "The project focuses on education, "but only incidentally" does it address healthcare needs".

What are some alternatives to "but only incidentally"?

You can use alternatives like "but in a secondary manner", "but not as the main focus", or "but as a side effect" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "only incidentally but"?

While grammatically possible, "only incidentally but" is less common and might sound awkward. "But only incidentally" is the more standard and natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "incidentally" and "but only incidentally"?

"Incidentally" introduces a related but not essential piece of information. "But only incidentally" is used to contrast something that might seem important but is, in fact, secondary to the main point.