incidental question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incidental question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that arises as a secondary or minor point, often not central to the main topic of discussion. Example: "During the meeting, I had an incidental question about the budget that I wanted to address before we moved on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As to the rather incidental question of why, in god's holy name, Edward Snowden is appearing on a Jean-Michel Jarre track?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

States routinely deal with the incidental regulatory questions that come with these changes, and they've never before alleged that they are unconstitutional burdens. .

Huffington Post

Incidental motions include questions arising incidentally in the consideration of other questions and decided before disposition of the one to which they are incident.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No alcohol was allowed; the house held a library and reading room; and" at meal time, and every occasion of interview, conversations [were] introduced on the various questions incidental to the elevation of man".

The New York Times

For Agha, Chambers's case has become almost incidental to a larger question of how athletics should tackle drugs cheats.

The Guardian - Sport

The reason for this may be that the presuppositions in question are incidental to the primary content of these sentences.

SEP

While representationalists like Fodor, Drestke, and Jackson contend that having the right internal, representational structure is essential to having beliefs, another group of philosophers treats the internal structure of the mind as of only incidental relevance to the question of whether a being is properly described as believing.

SEP

It reads, "For your incidental information, when we questioned the use of the designation 'Large size' in a Pepsodent commercial, we were advised that by industry agreement the large size is the smallest size distributed through retail channels".

The New Yorker

Under this rule, measures cannot be included in the Senate reconciliation package if they do not have revenues or entitlement components or if such components are "merely incidental" to a broader policy question.

The New York Times

In addition, the results that were central to our research question were frequently incidental to the primary objectives of the studies that were reviewed, which meant that information specific to groups of patients differing in the number of prior TNF-α inhibitors used was often lacking.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Another possible explanation for the gaps is that studies reporting the prevalence of hypertension or obesity incidental to non-epidemiologic research questions would not have been identified, because the search terms in this review identified studies indexed as having the epidemiology of hypertension or obesity as a major focus.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidental question" to introduce a query that is related but not central to the main discussion point. This helps to manage expectations and keep the conversation focused.

Common error

Avoid using "incidental question" when the question is completely unrelated to the topic at hand. An incidental question should still have some connection, however minor, to the primary subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidental question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "incidental" modifies the noun "question". It serves to qualify the nature of the question as being of secondary importance or relevance. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically sound and serves a specific communicative purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incidental question" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to introduce a query that is related, but not central, to the main topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a sound phrase suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic entries. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the question is indeed relevant, albeit secondary, to avoid confusion with irrelevant queries. Alternatives such as "minor question" or "secondary question" may be considered to provide more precision. Remember to use "incidental question" when a query is somewhat related, but keep it brief and relevant to maintain focus. The phrase appears commonly across various sources, signaling its widespread understanding and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor question

Focuses on the relative unimportance of the question.

secondary question

Highlights that the question is not the primary focus.

tangential question

Emphasizes the question's deviation from the main topic.

peripheral question

Indicates that the question lies on the edge of the main subject.

unimportant question

Directly states the lack of significance of the question.

additional question

Suggests the question is simply extra or supplemental.

related question

Implies a connection to the main topic, but not a central one.

side question

Describes a question that arises alongside the main inquiry.

less significant question

Explicitly indicates the reduced importance of the question.

casual question

Indicates the question is asked in a relaxed manner, not critical to main subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "incidental question" to introduce a question that is related to the main topic but not essential to it. For example, "I have an incidental question about the budget before we move on."

What's a good alternative to "incidental question"?

Alternatives include "minor question", "secondary question", or "tangential question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to ask an "incidental question" during a formal meeting?

It depends on the context. If the "incidental question" is relevant and can be addressed quickly without derailing the meeting, it may be appropriate. However, consider postponing it if it's complex or likely to lead to a lengthy discussion.

What's the difference between an "incidental question" and a "follow-up question"?

A follow-up question directly relates to the previous statement or question, seeking clarification or further information. An "incidental question", on the other hand, is related but not a direct consequence of the previous point.