incidental to

USAGE SUMMARY

"incidental to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that is subordinate, ancillary, or subordinate to another thing. For example, "The costs associated with the project were incidental to the overall cost of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Cameras were incidental to Lou".

The New York Times

Other people were mostly incidental to Oswald.

The New York Times

The subject is incidental to the technique.

The New Yorker

"Money is incidental to me in this.

The New York Times - Sports

Pound's politics are not incidental to his achievement.

The New Yorker

The President seems almost incidental to their aspirations.

The New Yorker

Yet the killings appear almost incidental to the book's creativity.

The New York Times - Books

But particular associations are incidental to Orozco's art.

The New Yorker

That is not incidental to a project involving military families.

The New Yorker

Racism was not incidental to empire: it was the cement.

The New York Times - Books

(Female orgasms, incidental to conception, were not an issue).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidental to" to clearly indicate that something is not a primary focus or is of secondary importance to the main subject. It's effective for downplaying elements in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "incidental to" when the element actually has a significant impact or plays a crucial role, even if it's not the central theme. Ensure that you are not diminishing something more valuable. If it's a key enabler, rethink your choice of words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidental to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating that something is of secondary importance or not essential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly used to downplay the significance of a particular element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incidental to" is a prepositional phrase used to signify that something is of secondary importance or not essential. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and its widespread usage across varied contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, use "incidental to" to clarify the main focus and de-emphasize less critical elements. Be mindful of not downplaying elements that hold unacknowledged importance. Semantically related phrases include "secondary to", "subordinate to", and "ancillary to". This phrase is a valuable tool for establishing priorities and conveying nuanced meanings in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary to

Indicates a lesser importance or role.

subordinate to

Implies a lower rank or position.

ancillary to

Suggests a supporting or supplementary role.

not essential to

Directly conveys the lack of necessity.

irrelevant to

Indicates a lack of connection or importance.

unrelated to

Highlights the absence of a direct relationship.

peripheral to

Suggests a position on the edge or outside the main focus.

of minor importance to

Emphasizes the reduced significance.

of little consequence to

Highlights the limited impact or effect.

tangential to

Indicates a slight or indirect connection.

FAQs

How do I use "incidental to" in a sentence?

Use "incidental to" to show that something is secondary or not essential to the main subject. For example, "The cost was "incidental to" the overall project's success."

What is a good alternative to "incidental to"?

Alternatives to "incidental to" include "secondary to", "subordinate to", or "ancillary to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "incidental to" or "not important to"?

"Incidental to" implies that something exists but is not crucial. "Not important to" is a broader statement. The best choice depends on the context; "incidental to" is more specific and nuanced.

What's the difference between "incidental to" and "unrelated to"?

"Incidental to" suggests a minor connection, while "unrelated to" implies no connection at all. For example, the background music might be "incidental to" the main performance, but the weather is likely "unrelated to" it.