humorous digression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "humorous digression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a light-hearted or funny deviation from the main topic in a conversation or text. Example: "During the lecture, the professor made a humorous digression about his pet cat that had everyone laughing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Curtis masterfully creates the quintessential kid voice, fresh and funny, complete with humorous digressions, reflecting the way a child's mind often works.

The Guardian

Another rare moment occurred in Salman Rushdie's humorous reading from "A Short Digression on the Pig".

Huffington Post

But I digress (from my digression).

TechCrunch

To boost morale he sprinkles his text with digressions on, for example, the toga party in "Animal House" and introduces humorous examples of Latin usage.

The New York Times - Books

Digression over.

The New York Times

Whence the long digression.

Princeton University

Why the digression?

The New Yorker

A quick digression.

The New York Times - Food

"Excuse me, slight digression..."....

Independent

But this is a digression.

The New Yorker

Another digression was coming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "humorous digression", ensure it is relevant to the overall context and enhances the reader's or listener's experience rather than distracting from the main point.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "humorous digressions", as too many can make your writing or speech seem unfocused and unprofessional. Use them sparingly to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "humorous digression" functions as a noun phrase, where "humorous" modifies the noun "digression". It describes a specific type of departure from the main subject, one that is intended to be amusing or funny. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "humorous digression" refers to a funny or amusing departure from a central theme. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While grammatically sound and understood across various contexts, its actual use can vary based on the situation. Alternative phrases include "comic detour" and "amusing tangent", offering stylistic variations. It's important to use "humorous digressions" purposefully, avoiding overuse to maintain focus. While there are no exact examples in our dataset, the phrase appears across various authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and The New Yorker, suggesting broad acceptance in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comic detour

Replaces "humorous" with "comic" and "digression" with "detour", maintaining the sense of a funny deviation.

amusing tangent

Substitutes "humorous" with "amusing" and "digression" with "tangent", emphasizing the lighthearted nature of the deviation.

funny aside

Replaces "humorous digression" with a shorter, more informal expression, "funny aside".

witty interlude

Uses "witty" instead of "humorous", suggesting a clever or intelligent kind of humor; "interlude" replaces "digression", implying a brief pause.

jocular divergence

Replaces "humorous" with "jocular", indicating a playful or jolly manner; "divergence" replaces "digression", highlighting the act of moving away from the main point.

lighthearted deviation

Focuses on the positive, cheerful aspect of the departure with "lighthearted", and uses "deviation" for "digression".

comical departure

Uses "comical" to emphasize the funny aspect, and "departure" as a more general term for moving away from the subject.

entertaining digression

Highlights the enjoyment factor with "entertaining", keeping "digression" to maintain the formal meaning of straying from the main topic.

amusing sidetrack

Uses "amusing" for humor and "sidetrack" to indicate a temporary diversion.

droll digression

Replaces "humorous" with "droll", suggesting a dry, understated sense of humor.

FAQs

How can I incorporate a "humorous digression" into my writing?

Introduce a "humorous digression" by seamlessly transitioning from your main topic with a related, amusing anecdote or observation. Ensure it's brief and relevant to maintain reader engagement.

What's a suitable alternative to "humorous digression"?

You could use phrases like "comic detour", "amusing tangent", or "funny aside", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "humorous digression" appropriate for formal writing?

While "humorous digression" is grammatically correct, it might be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using a more neutral term like "brief deviation" or "relevant aside".

What makes a digression "humorous"?

A digression becomes "humorous" when it introduces an element of wit, irony, or amusement that provides a brief, entertaining break from the main topic. It should elicit a positive, lighthearted response from the audience.