irrelevant aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"irrelevant aside" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a comment or remark that is not related to the main topic of discussion. For example: "During the meeting, he made an irrelevant aside about his weekend plans." Alternative expressions include "off-topic remark" and "unrelated comment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Humphrys's comment was in fact an irrelevant aside made during an item broadcast about theatre ticket prices.

The Guardian - Music

Maxwell is the kind of writer who has trouble resisting the irrelevant aside (the connection, say, between Hitler and Harvard football) or the accretion of obvious detail.

The New York Times - Books

Caroline Seemingly irrelevant aside: Am I the only one who thinks that the "Glee" all-male cover of "What It Feels Like for a Girl" was the smartest thing on TV in a long time?

The New York Times

(Irrelevant aside: Some folks in high-toned Princeton got all huffy about Mr. Crowe's action, which was amusing because a few weeks earlier they had been queued up by the thousands -- the thousands -- at a casting call for bit parts in the same movie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The three main themes here were that narratives/anecdotes may be more to do with entertainment than learning, that they are too often irrelevant asides (and particularly not focussed on passing exams), and that too many of them can become boring: R2 I find the anecdotes interesting, but I don't think they necessarily help me to learn the material any more.

BMC Medical Education

An experienced television writer, Mr. Dresser has a deft touch for the irrelevant, amusing asides and running jokes common to series comedies, and he couples that with an instinct for the feel-good resolution.

The New York Times

(As a semi-irrelevant personal aside; I've been columnizing here for more than five years, and I get something like a dozen PR pitches a day, but this is only the second time I have ever written a piece as a direct result of a cold email pitch. I suppose the moral is: don't lose all hope, PR people, but don't harbor much, either).

TechCrunch

They interrupted with impunity, tossing aside irrelevant points with the kind of authority only the nine of them can claim.

The New York Times

The justices seemed as divided as the rest of the country over Florida's disputed votes, but were tough on both sides, mercilessly interrupting the lawyers and casting aside irrelevant points.

The New York Times

Let us lay aside irrelevant differences and make our nation whole.

Los Angeles Times

Toss aside irrelevant information that distracts you or slows you down.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irrelevant aside" to signal a brief digression that, while perhaps interesting, is not crucial to the main argument or narrative. This can add color or context, but avoid overusing it.

Common error

Avoid peppering your writing with too many "irrelevant asides", as this can distract readers and dilute your core message. Use them sparingly and only when they genuinely enhance understanding or engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irrelevant aside" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a statement or remark that deviates from the main topic of conversation or writing. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to characterize comments or details that aren't central to the primary subject matter.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irrelevant aside" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a comment or remark that digresses from the main topic. Ludwig's analysis shows that it appears most frequently in news and media, with some usage in scientific and academic contexts. While the phrase is acceptable and understandable, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid distracting the reader. The examples suggest that it is used to highlight a detail or observation that, while perhaps interesting, isn't crucial to the core message. Therefore, writers should aim to integrate such asides thoughtfully and sparingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

off-topic comment

Directly indicates the comment is not relevant to the topic.

tangential remark

Focuses on the remark being off-topic or only loosely connected.

unrelated comment

Emphasizes the lack of connection to the current discussion.

digression

Highlights the act of straying from the main subject.

incidental remark

Suggests the remark was casual and of little importance.

gratuitous remark

Implies the remark was unnecessary and perhaps unwelcome.

extraneous detail

Highlights the unneeded nature of the information.

parenthetical statement

Focuses on the remark being inserted as an interruption.

non sequitur

Highlights the illogical connection to the previous statement.

by the way

Indicates a shift to a related but not crucial point.

FAQs

How can I use "irrelevant aside" in a sentence?

You can use "irrelevant aside" to introduce a tangential thought that is not essential to the main discussion. For example, "The speaker, in an irrelevant aside, mentioned his recent vacation".

What's a good alternative to "irrelevant aside"?

Consider using terms like "tangential remark", "unrelated comment", or "digression" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "irrelevant aside" in formal writing?

While "irrelevant aside" is grammatically correct, in highly formal contexts, a more concise term like "digression" might be preferred to maintain a streamlined tone.

How can I avoid overusing "irrelevant aside" in my writing?

Before including an aside, ask yourself if it truly adds value to the reader's understanding or engagement. If not, consider omitting it to maintain focus on the main topic.