incidentally enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incidentally enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that is somewhat related to the previous topic but not directly connected, often implying a surprising or interesting coincidence. Example: "Incidentally enough, I ran into your brother at the coffee shop yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Incidentally enough, McDougal's first job for the series was directing its very first Christmas episode during the show's second season.

Wikipedia

Which, incidentally enough, has an image of President Obama meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, among the images of terrorists and fear-mongering.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Incidentally, there's enough longlines with about 1.7 billion hooks and fishing nets (some with mouths wide enough to fit one dozen 747 jets inside) in our oceans that if attached to one another they would encircle the equator 522 times or 27 return trips to the moon; that's over 13 million miles of tangled, lethal lines.

Huffington Post

Curiously enough, incidentally, the Record has not been dealt the same huff.

BBC

(He is young enough, incidentally, to remain in contention for the next opening).

Huffington Post

So I think we understand the connections much better, not well enough incidentally, because if we did, we would be screening our police for domestic violence, which is the biggest indicator of other violence and is a supremacy crime; both supremacy by sex and race is a parallel motivation.

Huffington Post

Molinari bogeyed 18, incidentally, but seems happy enough with his three-under 67.

The Guardian - Sport

Incidentally, Sanders had more than enough money to beat Clinton in Nevada.

Huffington Post

The government is unpopular enough already - and, incidentally, local council charges are also doing their bit to drag the consumer down.

The Guardian - Business

Still, Juva's touch of madness was warranty enough for Dubuffet — who, incidentally, rejected the term "insanity" except to characterize the obtuseness of "school teachers and dignitaries" and other upholders of high-art pieties.

The New Yorker

It would also, not incidentally, house an 1,100-megawatt 1,100-megawattig enough to light a million homes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incidentally enough" sparingly. Overuse can make your writing sound verbose or unfocused. Consider if a more direct transition would be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "incidentally enough" to introduce information that is actually crucial to your argument. This can downplay its importance and confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incidentally enough" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a sentence or clause by adding related, though not necessarily essential, information. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase sets the stage for a somewhat unexpected or coincidental connection to the main topic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incidentally enough" serves to introduce related but non-essential information, often with a hint of surprise or coincidence. Ludwig highlights that while grammatically correct, the phrase is relatively rare, appearing more frequently in news media and wikis. When writing, consider alternatives like "interestingly enough" or "by the way", and avoid using it to preface critical information, as this could diminish its perceived importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interestingly enough

Replaces "incidentally" with "interestingly", emphasizing the intriguing nature of the related information.

coincidentally enough

Highlights the coincidental nature of the related information, similar to "incidentally enough".

on a related note

Connects the information to the previous topic, suggesting a thematic link.

as a side note

Introduces the related information as a supplementary point.

by the way

Indicates a shift to a related but not essential piece of information.

as an aside

Signals a brief digression or supplementary comment.

it is worth mentioning

Highlights the relevance of the supplementary information.

in passing

Suggests that the information is mentioned briefly and not dwelled upon.

parenthetically speaking

Frames the information as being added in parentheses, emphasizing its non-essential nature.

as a footnote

Presents the information as supplementary and often less critical.

FAQs

What does "incidentally enough" mean?

The phrase "incidentally enough" is used to introduce information that is related to the current topic but is not a direct or necessary part of the main point. It often implies a surprising or coincidental connection.

When should I use "incidentally enough" in writing?

Use "incidentally enough" when you want to add an interesting or relevant detail that isn't essential to the core argument but enriches the context. Consider alternatives like "by the way" or "as a side note" for similar effects.

Are there more formal alternatives to "incidentally enough"?

While "incidentally enough" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives include "interestingly enough" or "coincidentally enough", which maintain a similar meaning while sounding more refined.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "incidentally enough"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "incidentally enough". It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the sentence as a whole. However, ensure the sentence flows logically from the preceding context.