digressing slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "digressing slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are momentarily straying from the main topic of discussion. Example: "Digressing slightly, I want to mention how much I enjoyed our last meeting and the ideas that were shared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Digressing slightly, it sounds like the recently-completed three-match tour of Jamaica by a Great Britain amateur under-23s team was a worthwhile exercise for everyone – and a long way from the M62.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm digressing slightly here, but if you lasted until episode three of this terrible blight on human civilization, you will have also now seen pop culture's unlikely new low: an eating contest between Marcia and Merv.

The Guardian - Sport

With that point in mind, I'm only digressing slightly when I focus on a piece of work, Tales From The Mall, by Glasgow-based writer Ewan Morrison, which was published this year by Scotland's innovative Cargo Press.

The Guardian - Books

Digressing slightly, but Global warming has provided significant commercial opportunities for many organisations, and conservation of forests in tackling Co2 emissions may also be seen as a niche business area.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The book then digresses slightly as it moves on to inspect the delusions of certainty.

The Guardian - Books

This is a four-and-a-half-to-five-hour bus ride to Boston for $15" – and then digresses slightly: "The first time I took the Fung Wah, I only brought a copy of Tropic of Cancer along for the ride.

The Guardian

But I digress, slightly.

Vice

Let's take this to the mop room". Then he digressed slightly, telling the crowd: "This may seem like a small issue to you people, but in a jail every issue is magnified and it means a lot, and the minute you forget that you put yourself at risk". The crowd understood that Savio had put himself at risk.

Los Angeles Times

We now digress slightly to point out some inconsistencies in the literature on what is the appropriate error term to test for the "interindividual" effect in the mixed model, two-way ANOVA (either the individual × side interaction effect or the measurement error [ 13, 15, 68, 69]).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

I was slightly mortified that it was 10 in the morning and I had just woken up, but I digress.

Huffington Post

I digress.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "digressing slightly" to signal a brief, intentional deviation from the main topic. This helps maintain clarity and avoids abrupt topic shifts that could confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid frequent digressions, even when signaled with "digressing slightly". Too many can disrupt the flow and weaken your overall argument. Ensure digressions are relevant and contribute to the main point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "digressing slightly" functions as an introductory phrase. It serves to signal to the reader or listener that the speaker is about to move away from the main topic at hand, usually temporarily. This is supported by the Ludwig examples, where the phrase prefaces a shift in focus.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "digressing slightly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to signal a temporary shift away from the main topic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in neutral to formal contexts, primarily in news and media, but can also be found in scientific publications. When using it, ensure the digression remains relevant and doesn't disrupt the overall flow of your writing or conversation. Consider alternatives like "briefly veering off topic" or "as a quick aside" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just to digress for a second

Very similar in meaning, but slightly more colloquial.

let me just sidetrack for a moment

This alternative has a more casual and conversational tone.

briefly veering off topic

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes a temporary departure from the subject.

straying from the point for a moment

This alternative emphasizes the act of deviating from the central argument or idea.

as a quick aside

This is a more concise and informal way to indicate a brief deviation.

if I may add a tangent

This is a polite way to introduce a related but separate point.

on a related note

This suggests a connection, however tangential, to the main topic.

to change the subject briefly

This is a more direct and explicit way of announcing a shift in topic.

before I get carried away

This implies a risk of prolonged deviation and a need to return to the main point.

by the way

This is a very informal way to introduce a related thought.

FAQs

How can I use "digressing slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "digressing slightly" to signal a temporary departure from your main point. For example, "We were discussing marketing strategies; "digressing slightly", I wanted to mention a relevant article I read yesterday".

What does "digressing slightly" mean?

The phrase "digressing slightly" means you are temporarily moving away from the main subject, but you intend to return to it shortly. It's a way to introduce a related, but not central, point.

What are some alternatives to "digressing slightly"?

Some alternatives include "briefly veering off topic", "as a quick aside", or "on a related note", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "digressing slightly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in written English to indicate a momentary stray from the main topic.