incidental remark

USAGE SUMMARY

"incidental remark" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a comment that is not the main focus or is made casually. For example: "During the meeting, she made an incidental remark about the project's timeline." Alternative expressions include "casual comment" and "offhand remark."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He appointed to the highest army commands four members of the Phocas family, which had been in disgrace under Romanus Lecapenus, but took no further reprisals, except for an incidental remark, in De ceremoniis, that Romanus Lecapenus was neither an aristocrat nor a cultured man.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was observed "how decisive he was: how accurate, without any effort or formality: what an extraordinary power of observation lay at the base of many of his casual or incidental remarks".

Encyclopedia Britannica

("How about Noctis — by or from the night?") And the incidental conversation runs to remarks like this: "While Father was ill, I became obsessive about making marmalade.

The New York Times - Books

The finance-and-establishement officer thrusta five dollar bill into his hand and muttered some remarks about "incidental expenses" and "pocket money".

The New Yorker

Participants in the incidental condition were surprised by this revelation and frequently remarked that did not think they would perform well on the spatial tasks.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Still, others on the set remarked on his attention to detail and his knack for spotting the kind of incidental visual opportunities no art department could ever dream up.

The New York Times

Incidental Intelligence.

The New Yorker

– incidental music.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That's just incidental".

The New York Times

His damnation seems incidental.

The New Yorker

Gayness just incidental".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use this phrase to distinguish between a speaker's core thesis and their secondary, perhaps involuntary, observations.

Common error

Do not assume that an "incidental remark" is always unintended. While it is secondary to the main topic, it can be a calculated rhetorical device used to introduce an idea subtly without making it the central focus.

Linguistic Context

In terms of syntax, "incidental remark" serves as a noun phrase that typically functions as the direct object of a verb or as the subject of a sentence. According to Ludwig, the adjective "incidental" modifies the noun "remark" to qualify the statement as secondary or supplementary to the main discourse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incidental remark" is an effective linguistic tool for identifying statements that are secondary to the primary topic. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and sophisticated way to describe supplementary observations. While the term itself appears with low frequency in massive datasets, its usage in prestigious sources like The New Yorker and Encyclopedia Britannica highlights its value in high-level prose. Writers should use it to distinguish between a speaker's main points and their "casual observations", ensuring that the hierarchy of information remains clear to the reader. It is a precise alternative to more common phrases like "offhand remark" when a neutral or analytical tone is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual comment

Shifts the tone to be less formal and suggests a lack of premeditation.

offhand remark

Emphasizes the spontaneity and lack of preparation behind the statement.

side note

Commonly used in written contexts to denote supplementary information.

passing mention

Focuses on the brevity and lack of elaboration of the point made.

tangential comment

Highlights that the remark deviates from the primary subject of discussion.

brief aside

Suggests a short departure from the main narrative or conversation.

throwaway line

Implies the speaker considers the remark to be of little importance or consequence.

minor observation

Provides a more analytical or clinical description of the statement.

incidental note

Typically refers to a written annotation rather than a spoken comment.

accidental statement

Suggests that the remark was made without conscious intent or planning.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "incidental remark"?

An "incidental remark" is a comment made in connection with something else but which is not its main part. It is often a "casual comment" that occurs alongside a primary discussion.

How to use "incidental remark" in a sentence?

You might write: "The historian's analysis was mostly dry, except for an "incidental remark" about the king's private life that sparked massive interest." It works well as an alternative to an "offhand comment".

Is "incidental remark" formal?

Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. While you can use it in conversation, it is frequently found in high-quality publications like "The New Yorker" or "Encyclopedia Britannica".

What is the difference between an "incidental remark" and a "side note"?

While both refer to secondary information, an "incidental remark" usually refers to something spoken or integrated into a narrative, whereas a "side note" often implies a distinct, written separation from the main text.