incidental remarks

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

("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

His damnation seems incidental.

The New Yorker

Gayness just incidental".

The New Yorker

The price is incidental.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidental remarks" when you want to downplay the importance of certain comments, indicating they are secondary to the main point. For instance, in a formal report, you might mention "incidental remarks" made during a meeting to acknowledge them without giving them undue weight.

Common error

Avoid attributing significant importance to "incidental remarks". Doing so can distract from the core message and confuse your audience. Reserve in-depth analysis for crucial points, not fleeting comments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidental remarks" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'incidental' modifies 'remarks'. It describes comments that are secondary, non-essential, or made in passing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incidental remarks" refers to comments that are secondary or made in passing, as analyzed by Ludwig. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While "incidental remarks" is not a frequently used phrase, it serves the purpose of acknowledging comments without emphasizing their significance. The phrase appears across different sources, from news to encyclopedias, suggesting a generally neutral to professional register. Remember to use it when you want to indicate that the remarks are not central to the discussion, and avoid overstating their importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual comments

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

passing comments

Highlights the brief and non-central nature of the remarks.

chance remarks

Emphasizes the accidental or unplanned nature of the comments.

by the way comments

Indicates that the remarks are tangential to the main topic.

offhand remarks

Stresses the casual and possibly unguarded nature of the comments.

fleeting comments

Conveys the brief and quickly disappearing nature of the remarks.

peripheral comments

Indicates that the remarks are not central to the discussion.

secondary comments

Suggests the remarks are less important than the main points.

minor observations

Highlights the small significance of the remarks.

tangential comments

Implies the remarks are related but not essential to the topic at hand.

FAQs

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

You might say, "During the presentation, he made several "incidental remarks" about the project's early stages."

What are some alternatives to saying "incidental remarks"?

Consider using phrases like "casual comments", "passing comments", or "minor observations" depending on the specific context.

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

No, "incidental remarks" are typically related to the topic but not essential, while "irrelevant remarks" are completely unrelated and off-topic.

When is it appropriate to use the term "incidental remarks"?

Use "incidental remarks" when you want to acknowledge comments that were made but are not central to the main discussion or argument. It's useful for noting details without giving them undue importance.