incidental comments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incidental comments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to remarks or observations that are not the main focus of a discussion or text, often made in passing. Example: "During the meeting, she made several incidental comments that highlighted her expertise in the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Volunteers say they try not to be critical of the people who come in, but incidental comments show they clearly struggle not to categorise recipients into deserving and undeserving; there is a hint of moralising that might be less pronounced in a state service.

The Guardian

Mayr gave just The Origin of Species and offered a number of incidental comments on Darwin's contributions.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Despite incidental comments from community members about traditional people with specialized knowledge, we did not find causal or moral principles that were specific to certain individuals or particular kinds of harvesting.

Human Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It isn't the protester who changes her view (though an incidental comment about fingernails factors in).

Huffington Post

He writes about big matters — nothing bigger than life and death, after all — as if they were incidental oddities deserving of wry comment but no great moralizing or posturing.

The New York Times

The fact it is the theme for the British Office, and Gay's comments are David Brent-esque, is merely incidental.

The Guardian

In a BBC Online review of the 2003 Thunderbirds soundtrack album, Morag Reavley commented positively on composer Barry Gray's incidental piece "Fireflash Landing", stating that it is one of several "catchy, pulse-quickening tunes" that "come fast and furious".

Wikipedia

In a story in February, the Washington Post disclosed that the government had picked up the comments of then National Security Advisor Michael Flynn in just such an "incidental" fashion.

Vice

It's easy to write these off as small, incidental slip-ups, to defend these people because they're just offhand comments and they didn't really mean to sound racist.

Vice

In a story in February, the Washington Post disclosed that the government had picked up the comments of then national security adviser Michael Flynn in just such an "incidental" fashion.

Vice

Given these figures and the additional comments that non-compliance mainly occurred in non-ventilated, non-sedated patients, it is unlikely that these incidental failures to apply medication affected the effectiveness of the interventions.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidental comments" when you want to downplay the significance of remarks made during a discussion or within a text. It suggests the comments are secondary and not the main focus.

Common error

Avoid using "incidental comments" when the remarks are actually crucial to the discussion or analysis. The term implies a lack of importance, so choose a different phrase if the comments are significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidental comments" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "incidental" modifies the noun "comments". According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig show it in diverse contexts ranging from casual observations to more formal reports.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incidental comments" refers to remarks made in passing, often secondary to the main subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts like news, science, and general discussions. While not as common as other phrases, it provides a nuanced way to qualify remarks as supplementary or non-essential. When using this phrase, ensure the comments truly are secondary in importance to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "casual remarks" or "minor observations" can offer similar meaning. This analysis should equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively incorporate "incidental comments" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual remarks

Focuses on the informality and lack of premeditation of the comments.

passing remarks

Emphasizes the brief and fleeting nature of the comments.

offhand remarks

Highlights the spontaneous and unplanned quality of the comments.

minor observations

Indicates that the comments are of little significance or importance.

additional remarks

Suggests the comments are supplemental to a main point.

secondary comments

Implies the comments are not central to the discussion.

side comments

Indicates comments made on the periphery of the main topic.

tangential remarks

Emphasizes the comments' deviation from the central theme.

by-the-way comments

Highlights the casual introduction of the comments into the conversation.

brief observations

Conveys the conciseness and lack of detail in the comments.

FAQs

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

You can use "incidental comments" to describe remarks that are not the main focus of a discussion. For example, "During the presentation, she made several "incidental comments" about her previous experience." It's similar to saying she made "casual remarks".

What is a good alternative to "incidental comments"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "passing remarks", "minor observations", or "offhand remarks" as alternatives to "incidental comments".

Are "incidental comments" the same as "irrelevant comments"?

While both describe comments that are not central, "incidental comments" suggests the remarks are secondary but still related, whereas "irrelevant comments" implies the remarks are unrelated and distracting. "Incidental comments" might add context without being essential, while irrelevant comments do not contribute meaningfully.

In what context is it appropriate to use "incidental comments"?

It's suitable when you want to highlight that the comments are secondary to the main topic and are made in passing. This can be useful in academic papers, news reports, or even casual conversations where you want to denote remarks that are not the primary focus but still contribute to the overall understanding.