comic aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comic aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a humorous remark or comment made by a character in a play, film, or literary work that is directed to the audience, often revealing their thoughts or feelings. Example: "In the middle of the tense scene, the protagonist delivered a comic aside that had the audience laughing despite the drama unfolding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As close as he comes is a glancing comic aside — "frankness has never been my style".

The New York Times - Books

Witty, astute, and compulsively readable, he knows how to shape a critical narrative and where to slide in a comic aside.

The Guardian - Books

(I don't really!)" loses the intensifier "just" which it first had (stanza 4, line 2) and, now in parenthesis, "I don't really!" become a comic aside.

The Guardian - Books

Specktor, a founding editor of The Los Angeles Review of Books and a film executive on productions including "Fight Club," intersperses other vivid, stimulant-saturated scenes throughout, displaying a gift for timing and the comic aside.

The New York Times - Books

'I represent everyone who grew up suburban and white, but then I've got all these other things going for me,' Eggers wrote at one point, in a typical comic aside from his tragic tale.

The Guardian - Books

The trial in "Sycamore Row" is presided over by the judge who keeled over on his sofa a dozen books ago in "The Summons," but in this book only his wife and maid are dead, leaving a messy, dusty man and house, and the comic aside that "it had become obvious that Judge Atlee left the house each morning without getting properly inspected".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Dark, broody and with black comic asides.

The Guardian - Books

The effervescent sexual tension (among just about everybody) and the comic asides rarely lag.

The New York Times

The man-and-wife musical act with comic asides on the subject of mothers-in-law.

The Guardian

He's also hilarious with comic asides, giving as much gusto to small conversational quirks as to heart-rending confrontations.

The New York Times - Arts

DiCamillo's voice and comic asides recall those of the great Victorian stylist George MacDonald in "The Light Princess".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "comic aside" strategically to reveal a character's inner thoughts or feelings without disrupting the main action.

Common error

Avoid using "comic aside" in contexts that demand seriousness or gravitas, as it can undermine the intended tone and impact of the writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comic aside" is to act as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of remark or comment. It identifies a brief, humorous element that is often supplementary to the main narrative. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comic aside" refers to a brief, humorous remark or comment often used in theatrical or literary works to provide comic relief or offer commentary. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. When incorporating this phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and context of your writing to avoid undermining the intended message. Related phrases such as "humorous interjection" or "witty remark" can serve as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humorous interjection

Focuses on the interruption aspect, emphasizing the brief and humorous nature of the comment.

witty remark

Highlights the cleverness and intelligence behind the humorous comment.

funny quip

Implies a short, amusing, and often sarcastic remark.

humorous digression

Emphasizes the departure from the main topic for humorous effect.

lighthearted comment

Suggests a cheerful and amusing observation.

amusing observation

Focuses on the act of noticing something funny or peculiar.

comic relief

This is slightly broader term that refers to a humorous element in a serious work that aims to alleviate tension.

jocular remark

A more formal way of saying something amusing or playful.

facetious comment

Suggests the remark is intended to be humorous but might be inappropriate or not taken seriously.

playful banter

Implies a light and teasing exchange between people.

FAQs

What does "comic aside" mean?

A "comic aside" is a brief, humorous comment or remark in a play, film, or literary work, often directed to the audience, revealing the character's thoughts or feelings. It's intended to provide a moment of levity or insight.

What can I say instead of "comic aside"?

You can use alternatives like "humorous interjection", "witty remark", or "funny quip" depending on the context.

How to use "comic aside" in a sentence?

Example: "In the midst of the intense courtroom drama, the witness delivered a "comic aside" that momentarily relieved the tension."

What's the difference between "comic aside" and "comic relief"?

"Comic aside" refers to a specific humorous remark, while "comic relief" is a broader term describing any humorous element in a serious work that alleviates tension. A "comic aside" can contribute to the overall "comic relief" in a scene.