is a footnote in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a footnote in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is of lesser importance or is a minor detail in a larger context. Example: "The discussion about the budget cuts is a footnote in the larger conversation about educational reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It is a footnote in history now.

The Guardian

Sidney is a footnote in history books, while other activists of his era are heroes.

The New Yorker

Backhouse (who claimed his name was pronounced "Bacchus"), however, is a footnote in history.

The New York Times - Books

THE baseball career of Sal Yvars is a footnote in the sport's history.

The New York Times

Joe Fausti is a footnote in the perpetual debate over national health insurance.

The New York Times

The resulting "Illiac Suite" is a footnote in music history.Many composers nowadays use computers in similar ways.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"She's a footnote in the Holocaust annals," Clement said.

The New York Times - Sports

I would be proud to be a footnote in someone else's work.

The New York Times - Books

"He was a footnote in my life," Ms. Bandon, a magazine editor, said.

The New York Times - Style

But this merely deserves to be a footnote in an otherwise glorious career.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ebola was a footnote in our application… Little did we know".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a footnote in" to downplay the significance of a particular detail or event within a larger narrative. Ensure the context clearly establishes the more important elements against which the 'footnote' is being contrasted.

Common error

Avoid using "is a footnote in" when the subject actually holds substantial importance. Ensure that diminishing the subject's role aligns with the overall message, or you risk undermining your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a footnote in" functions as a predicative expression, typically used to qualify a subject as being of secondary importance or significance within a larger context. It conveys that the subject is a minor detail compared to the overarching theme or narrative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is a footnote in" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote that something is of minor significance within a broader context. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in News & Media, it effectively downplays specific details, events, or individuals. While generally neutral in tone, careful attention should be paid to avoid diminishing something that actually has substantial importance. Alternatives include "is a minor detail in" or "is of little consequence in", providing varied options for conveying relative insignificance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a minor detail in

Replaces "footnote" with a more direct term for something unimportant.

is a side note in

Similar to "footnote" but emphasizes that something is tangential.

is a trivial aspect of

Highlights the insignificance of something within a larger context.

is of little consequence in

Stresses the lack of importance or impact of something.

is a marginal element of

Indicates that something is on the periphery or edge of importance.

is an insignificant part of

Emphasizes the small and unimportant nature of something.

is a mere detail in

Highlights that something is just a detail and nothing more.

is of secondary importance to

Directly states that something is less important than something else.

is not a major factor in

Indicates something does not significantly influence an event or situation.

plays a minor role in

Suggests that something's contribution is small and not critical.

FAQs

How can I use "is a footnote in" in a sentence?

Use "is a footnote in" to describe something that is a minor or insignificant detail in a larger context. For example, "The initial investment, while substantial at the time, "is a footnote in" the company's overall financial history".

What phrases are similar to "is a footnote in"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "is a minor detail in", "is a side note in", or "is of little consequence in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is a footnote in"?

It's appropriate to use "is a footnote in" when you want to minimize the importance of a particular element, suggesting it is a small or secondary consideration compared to the main subject or event. Ensure it accurately reflects the relative significance within the broader context.

Is "is a footnote in" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In highly formal academic writing, a more direct phrase such as "is of minor significance in" might be preferred. However, "is a footnote in" is suitable for many academic contexts.