incidental circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

"incidental circumstance" is a correct part of English grammar.
You can use it to refer to an unimportant event or detail in the context of a larger occurrence. For example, "The loss of the dog was a sad incident, but the broken windows were only an incidental circumstance in the overall damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, because the "Ariel" poems reveal little about the "incidental circumstances or the crucial inner drama" that produced them, he pauses to reflect that "maybe it is this very bareness of circumstantial detail that has excited the wilder fantasies projected by others in Sylvia Plath's name".

The New Yorker

And, above all, the pseudonymic actress Raph (also an amateur, chosen from a local high school) plays Billie with a serene and luminous intensity that, in Dumont's transfiguring vision, burns away the incidentals of circumstance and custom, of the very weight of history, with the pure flame of true love.

The New Yorker

And if you want to learn about the era before name-brand recognition ruled the art world, when creativity was burgeoning and money was incidental, "Chance and Circumstance" is a splendid guide.

The New York Times - Books

Hamilton said the result was incidental in the circumstances, adding: "To hear one of our colleagues is seriously injured is the main worry".

BBC

In such circumstances, incidental reactivation of old dormant DNA sequences already adapted to prior conditions may take place.

BioEssays

PROFANITY -- Some, but mild (considering the circumstances) and incidental.

The New York Times

"Thus, the free ridership (if it were left to be that) would be not incidental but calculated, not imposed by circumstances but mandated by government decree". .

Huffington Post

However, bowel obstruction or incidental detection of hepatic metastases are common circumstances that lead to diagnosis.

Cancer Imaging

An accident, also known as an unintentional injury, is an undesirable, incidental, and unplanned event that could have been prevented had circumstances leading up to the accident been recognized, and acted upon, prior to its occurrence [3].

Health Economics Review

It is possible that TTSuV might act as incidental pathogens, where disease would become evident only under exceptional circumstances.

Plosone

"[Trump's] tweets tell the story, and the story is 'Look over there at leaks,' and 'Look over there at anything the Obama administration, we can claim, did wrong on incidental collection or anything else ― but whatever you do, under no circumstances look here at me or at Russia,'" Schiff continued.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidental circumstance" when you want to downplay the importance of a particular event or condition in relation to a larger situation. This can help to focus attention on the primary issue.

Common error

Avoid using "incidental circumstance" when the situation actually has a significant impact. Choose language that accurately reflects the event's true relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidental circumstance" functions as a noun phrase, describing a situation or detail that is of secondary importance. Although Ludwig doesn't provide direct examples of the phrase itself, the analysis confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incidental circumstance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor or secondary detail within a larger context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. While examples of its direct usage are not available in the provided data, the phrase is versatile enough to be used across various registers, though it is most fitting in neutral contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the circumstance truly is minor to avoid misrepresenting its importance. Alternatives such as "minor detail" or "secondary factor" can provide similar nuances depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor detail

Focuses on the unimportance of the detail.

secondary factor

Emphasizes the subordinate role of the factor.

unimportant event

Highlights the lack of significance of the event.

trivial occurrence

Stresses the insignificance of the happening.

negligible incident

Underlines the dismissible nature of the incident.

chance happening

Highlights the accidental and less consequential part of the happening.

side issue

Indicates a deviation from the main topic.

peripheral matter

Suggests the matter is not central or essential.

unessential element

Focuses on the dispensability of the element.

contingent situation

Highlights the conditional and less deterministic nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "incidental circumstance" in a sentence?

Use "incidental circumstance" to describe a detail that is minor or secondary to the main event. For example, "The broken vase was an incidental circumstance compared to the fire damage."

What's the difference between "incidental circumstance" and "unforeseen circumstance"?

"Incidental circumstance" refers to a minor, less important detail, while "unforeseen circumstance" describes an unexpected event that could have a significant impact.

What can I say instead of "incidental circumstance"?

You can use alternatives like "minor detail", "secondary factor", or "trivial occurrence" depending on the context.

Is "incidental circumstance" formal or informal?

"Incidental circumstance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of your writing. Its neutrality allows it to fit well in various settings.