incidental elements

USAGE SUMMARY

"incidental elements" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to small, often unimportant details or features that are related to the main topic. For example, "The film was an exciting adventure, but some of the incidental elements seemed unnecessary and out of place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

All steels contain a small amount of incidental elements left over from steelmaking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Incidental elements in older pictures became main events in new ones.

The New York Times - Arts

Building a saxophone language of incidental elements, you'd think, is like creating a style of poetry that uses semicolons, ellipses and other niceties but no actual words.

The New York Times - Arts

What we also see at the Jewish Museum is that the incidental elements in the cult of wine were marvelously elegant.

The New York Times - Arts

All of this is captured on film--all of this plus the incidental elements, such as the movement in the background.

Huffington Post

The Incidental Elements Accuracy score quantifies the number (0 to 39) of Outer Configuration and Internal Detail segments.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Costas's critics were outraged by the idea that guns were anything but an incidental plot element, as innocent as the flapping of butterfly wings.

The New Yorker

The evening, for soprano, baritone, and chamber orchestra, is an amalgam of two elements: incidental music by Henry Purcell intertwined with a 2004 opera (entitled "The Tempest Songbook") by the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.

The New Yorker

"I don't see that working," Mr. Scudder said, implying that design elements are incidental.

The New York Times

Moreover, the language used to speak of the elements of incidental change are extended to substantial change and altered in meaning so as to avoid equivocation.

SEP

These works elaborated the genre and landscape elements that had been incidental in his religious works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidental elements" to acknowledge the presence of minor or secondary factors without overemphasizing their importance in the overall analysis.

Common error

Avoid dedicating excessive time or analysis to "incidental elements" when the primary focus should be on more significant factors. Keep the discussion proportional to their actual importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidental elements" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. Ludwig AI indicates that it denotes minor, often unimportant, details or features related to a main topic, such as in steel manufacturing or artistic composition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incidental elements" refers to minor or secondary aspects within a broader context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is often employed in news media, science, and encyclopedic contexts to differentiate non-essential factors from core components. When writing, it is best to clearly differentiate main points from supporting or "incidental elements" to prevent any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary aspects

Focuses on the aspect being of secondary importance.

minor components

Highlights the components being small or less significant.

peripheral details

Emphasizes the details being on the edge or not central.

additional features

Implies that the features are supplementary or extra.

unintentional aspects

Highlights the aspects being unplanned or accidental.

non-essential factors

Focuses on factors that are not crucial or necessary.

extraneous items

Emphasizes the items being irrelevant or unrelated.

tangential aspects

Highlights aspects that are only slightly related or connected.

superfluous parts

Emphasizes the parts being unnecessary or excessive.

less important traits

Focuses on traits that have reduced relevance or impact.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "incidental elements" in a sentence?

Use "incidental elements" to refer to minor or secondary components that are present but not central to the main subject. For example, "The film's plot was gripping, but the incidental elements of the soundtrack were distracting".

What are some phrases similar in meaning to "incidental elements"?

Alternatives include "secondary aspects", "minor components", or "peripheral details", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to discuss "incidental elements"?

It is appropriate to discuss "incidental elements" when you need to acknowledge the presence of minor factors that may have some impact, but are not the primary focus of your discussion. Avoid dwelling on them excessively.

What is the difference between "incidental elements" and core components?

"Incidental elements" are secondary and less important, while core components are essential and central to the subject. Failing to differentiate between the two can lead to confusion and a lack of focus.