fun aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"fun aside" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is informal in nature, and is often used to indicate a transition in thought or to move away from a serious topic towards a lighter one. For example, "We've discussed the finer points of the project, but fun aside, what are your thoughts on the timeline?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Fleeting moments of fun aside, not one of the women in "Thin" leaves cured.

The New York Times - Arts

The vibrant single Fun aside, the most notable thing is the unwitting prescience of the title track.

The Guardian - Music

For baby-boomer parents, the fun, aside from watching your child's face light up, is playing "Name That Tune". Even more than the television series, the show takes hits of the past and rewrites their lyrics.

The New York Times - Arts

Fairchild's pointed dedication to "all the little girls writing songs out there" wasn't just a fun aside — she has been vocal about the challenges women face in the genre.

The Washington Post

Fun aside: as you can see in the video, to underscore the point that hiding programs from the American people rarely goes well for the administration, I had my staff make a poster of the famous image of Oliver North testifying before Congress during the Iran-Contra hearing.

The Guardian - Opinion

All that is fun, aside from the lack of Biggs.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The interactive features integrated throughout include fun asides and hidden treasures, from cowboys to a button that makes the entire page fall apart.

HuffPost

The nearly 300 pages are threaded with personal anecdotes — Kass is married to Alex Wagner, a journalist and author, and the two have a young son — and more fun asides about his culinary life with Michelle and Barack Obama and their own kids.

Los Angeles Times

Isn't this a fun economy, aside from all the layoffs and foreclosures?

The New York Times

We all have grins on our faces: the physical experience alone is fun, leaving aside what you might see.

Independent

From childhood, Sugiyama has gravitated toward what she calls fun, casting aside figure skating, ballet and gymnastics for tennis.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fun aside" to signal a shift from a light or humorous topic to a more serious or practical point.

Common error

Avoid using "fun aside" repeatedly in a single piece of writing; it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Opt for alternative transitions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fun aside" acts as a transitional element, indicating a shift from a light or enjoyable topic to a more serious or relevant point. Ludwig examples confirm its use in introducing a change in focus.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fun aside" is a common and correct English phrase used to transition from a light or humorous topic to a more serious one. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's generally informal but appears frequently in news and media sources. While grammatically sound, overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Related phrases, such as "jokes aside" or "on a more serious note", can offer variety depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jokes aside

Focuses specifically on humorous elements being set aside, unlike the broader sense of enjoyment in "fun aside".

all joking aside

Emphasizes a more serious shift away from humor and toward a sincere or important topic.

kidding aside

Similar to jokes aside, but slightly less formal, indicating a movement away from lighthearted banter.

on a more serious note

Indicates a complete transition to a more earnest subject, lacking the element of prior amusement.

moving on

Suggests a change of subject, without necessarily implying that the previous topic was enjoyable or lighthearted.

returning to the point

Highlights a return to the main topic after a digression; it doesn't need to be associated with "fun".

getting back on track

Implies that the discussion had strayed from its intended course and is now being corrected.

in all seriousness

Emphasizes a sincere tone, removing any playful element that "fun aside" might imply.

leaving that aside

Focuses on setting something aside, without the explicit mention of fun, making it more general.

that being said

Introduces a contrasting statement or perspective, but lacks the connotation of playful digression.

FAQs

How can I use "fun aside" in a sentence?

You can use "fun aside" to transition from a light-hearted topic to a more serious one. For example, "The party was great, but "fun aside", we need to discuss the budget."

What are some alternatives to "fun aside"?

Alternatives include "jokes aside", "all joking aside", or "on a more serious note", depending on the context.

Is "fun aside" formal or informal?

"Fun aside" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, you might prefer "returning to the point" or "getting back on track".

When is it appropriate to use "fun aside"?

Use "fun aside" when you want to acknowledge a moment of levity and then smoothly transition to a more important or serious topic. It's most suitable in casual conversation or less formal writing.