gratuitous remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gratuitous remark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comment that is unnecessary or uncalled for in a particular context. Example: "His gratuitous remark about her appearance was not appreciated by anyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When they part he makes a gratuitous remark about it having been nice to renew an old acquaintance.

The New Yorker

It reminds me of a short, rather desperate piece of American reportage from that period, where an earnest showbiz writer had carefully garnered a small handful of half-finished Del Toro responses to his questions and was preparing to call it a quiet day when the natural successor to Brando and James Dean suddenly threw out a gratuitous remark.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the same time, a few forthright speakers cut through some of the more gratuitous remarks.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Mr. Paladino to choose this moment to make his utterly gratuitous remarks suggests at the very least an extraordinary level of insensitivity.

The New York Times

But they attacked Judge Weinstein's extensive comments in the 175-page ruling as the gratuitous remarks of a judge they have called a liberal with an antigun agenda.

The New York Times

She registered that as a gratuitous comment.

Huffington Post

But later, Richard A. Conway, an assistant commonwealth attorney, asked Judge Millette to prevent Mr. Muhammad from making "gratuitous introductory remarks" intended to ingratiate himself with the jury.

The New York Times

While some Democrats cheered her, many complained that the remark was gratuitous -- and gave the White House an opportunity to depict Democrats as partisan.

The New York Times

The evidence of Palin's scorn for what she calls the lamestream media is abundant, but I was struck by the gratuitous quality of one remark she tossed off during that Rolling Thunder rally in Washington the Sunday before Memorial Day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Kelly's lawyer said the report contained "venomous, gratuitous, and inappropriate sexist remarks".

Huffington Post

The Daily Beast's Olivia Nuzzi offered a similar assessment as have many others including Kelly's attorney Michael Critchley who blasted the report for containing "venomous, gratuitous and inappropriate sexist remarks" intended to discredit his client.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gratuitous remark" when you want to emphasize that a comment was not only unnecessary but also potentially offensive or harmful. Consider the context and the impact the remark might have.

Common error

Avoid using "gratuitous remark" when you only mean to say a comment was unnecessary. "Gratuitous" implies that the remark was excessive and uncalled for, possibly causing offense or harm. If the remark wasn't particularly harmful, a simpler term like "unnecessary comment" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gratuitous remark" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gratuitous" modifies the noun "remark". It serves to describe the nature of the remark as being uncalled for and potentially offensive. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gratuitous remark" is a valid and usable expression in English, primarily found in News & Media contexts. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe a comment that is unnecessary, uncalled for, and possibly offensive. While grammatically correct, the term should be used carefully to accurately convey the intended meaning, ensuring that the remark was not just unnecessary but also inappropriate or harmful. Alternatives such as "unnecessary comment" or "uncalled-for comment" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gratuitous comment

A more general term which does not specify remark vs statement

unnecessary comment

Focuses on the lack of need for the remark, highlighting its redundancy.

uncalled-for comment

Emphasizes the inappropriateness and lack of justification for the remark.

needless remark

Similar to 'unnecessary comment', stressing the absence of a valid reason for the remark.

pointless statement

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in the statement.

inappropriate remark

Focuses on the unsuitability of the comment in the given context.

superfluous statement

Indicates that the statement is excessive and not required.

unwarranted remark

Suggests the remark lacks a legitimate basis or justification.

irrelevant comment

Highlights the lack of connection or pertinence to the current topic.

unprompted comment

Emphasizes that the comment was not asked for or suggested.

FAQs

What does "gratuitous remark" mean?

A "gratuitous remark" is an unnecessary and often inappropriate or offensive comment that serves no purpose and can be harmful or hurtful.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "gratuitous remark"?

Use "gratuitous remark" when you want to emphasize that a comment was not only unnecessary but also likely offensive or inappropriate given the context.

What are some alternatives to saying "gratuitous remark"?

You can use alternatives like "unnecessary comment", "uncalled-for comment", or "pointless statement" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does a "gratuitous remark" differ from a simple "unnecessary comment"?

A "gratuitous remark" carries a stronger negative connotation than a simple "unnecessary comment". It implies that the remark was not only unneeded but also inappropriate, excessive, and potentially harmful, whereas an "unnecessary comment" might simply be redundant or irrelevant.