in passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in passing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is mentioned briefly or casually, without going into detail. Example: "She mentioned, in passing, that she would be moving to a new city next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I played in passing game.

The New York Times

"Kevin," he said in passing.

The New York Times - Sports

In passing, she performs respect.

The New York Times

Important contacts are made here in passing.

The Economist

(In passing, she concedes Reagan and Sarkozy).

The New Yorker

But they are made in passing.

The New York Times - Arts

I'd seen the show in passing.

The New Yorker

"Maybe a long time ago in passing.

Independent

The falloff in passing rates occurred statewide.

The New York Times

One notes them numbly, in passing.

The New Yorker

But this is just in passing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in passing" to introduce information that isn't the central focus but adds context or detail, keeping the main narrative clear.

Common error

Avoid overuse. Redundant or excessive use of "in passing" can weaken writing. Reserve it for genuinely incidental or brief mentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in passing" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how something is said or done. It suggests that information is conveyed briefly or incidentally, not as a central point. Ludwig confirms this with various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in passing" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is mentioned briefly or incidentally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media, academic writing and scientific literature. While "in passing" is common, it's essential to avoid overusing it and to use the phrase to add context, not as the main point of your sentence. Remember that you can use alternatives like "incidentally" or "by the way" to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incidentally

Indicates something is mentioned as a side note or unplanned addition to a conversation.

As an aside

Highlights a comment that's divergent from the main subject.

En passant

Directly borrowed from French, it maintains a formal tone but might sound affected in casual conversation.

Tangentially

Indicates a connection that is indirect or loosely related.

By the way

Introduces a topic shift or an additional piece of information.

Peripherally

Suggests a detail is addressed on the outskirts or edge of the main discussion.

Parenthetically

A more formal alternative to “in parenthesis” emphasizing supplementary nature.

In parenthesis

Emphasizes that something is a digression or supplementary comment.

Fleetingly

Suggests that something is mentioned very briefly and quickly.

In brief

Signals a concise summary or mention, cutting to the essentials.

FAQs

How can I use "in passing" in a sentence?

Use "in passing" to indicate that something was mentioned briefly and not as the main point. For instance, "She mentioned "in passing" that she had changed jobs".

What are some alternatives to "in passing"?

You could use alternatives like "incidentally", "by the way", or "as an aside" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "passingly" instead of "in passing"?

While "passingly" exists, it is far less common and can sound awkward. "In passing" is the more idiomatic and widely accepted phrase.

What's the difference between mentioning something "in passing" and discussing it?

Mentioning something "in passing" means referring to it briefly without detailed discussion, while discussing it involves a more in-depth exploration of the topic.