it was incidental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was incidental" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened by chance or was not a primary focus or intention. Example: "The error in the report was incidental and did not affect the overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But in its blog post, Dropbox said it "was incidental and not caused by any external factor or third party".

The New York Times

"It was incidental contact.

The New York Times - Sports

I doubt it was incidental that the Castle Museum provided the backdrop for this dream.

The Guardian - Books

In Preston the search was sought to be justified primarily on the ground that it was incidental to and part of a lawful arrest.

Cornell University

And though it was incidental to the reasons for acquiring him, Fuld is also the kind of player Friedman wanted to be as an outfielder at Tulane, with similar sensibilities.

The New York Times - Sports

I became interested in the portrayal of blacks by culture rather than skin color: when color alone was their bête noire, when it was incidental, and when it was unknowable, or deliberately withheld.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Dry vermouth (neat, a snip of lemon peel) has lost its identity as an aperitif or loungers' sip; it's incidental to gin or vodka in martinis.

The New York Times

Virtuosity abounds, but it's incidental.

The New York Times - Arts

When they bite humans, it's incidental".

The New York Times

I say this is freeloading; she says it's incidental overhearing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ought cinema to strive for such a purpose, or should it be incidental?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was incidental" to clearly communicate that an event or detail was not the primary focus or intention, but rather a secondary or chance occurrence. This helps avoid misinterpretations about its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "it was incidental" to downplay crucial information. Ensure the context accurately reflects that the detail is genuinely secondary and not essential for understanding the main point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was incidental" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something occurred as a secondary or unintentional aspect. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, affirming its role in specifying non-essential details.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was incidental" is a descriptive statement used to indicate that something is secondary, unintentional, or not of primary importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and highlights its common usage in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase serves a valuable function in clarifying the significance of details within a broader context. When using "it was incidental", ensure that the context accurately reflects the lesser importance of the detail to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unintentional

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the action or event.

it was accidental

Emphasizes the chance or unplanned nature of the occurrence.

it was inadvertent

Highlights the lack of attention or care in causing the event.

it was secondary

Indicates the event was of lesser importance or a side effect.

it was a byproduct

Suggests the event was a consequence of something else.

it was a side effect

Similar to 'byproduct', but often used in medical or technical contexts.

it was coincidental

Emphasizes the simultaneous occurrence of events without a direct causal link.

it was extraneous

Highlights the irrelevance or unnecessity of the event.

it was subordinate

Indicates a lower level of importance or dependency.

it was contingent

Suggests the event depended on other factors or conditions.

FAQs

What does "it was incidental" mean?

The phrase "it was incidental" means that something happened as a secondary or minor occurrence, not as the main purpose or focus. It suggests the event was not planned or intended but happened by chance or as a side effect.

How can I use "it was incidental" in a sentence?

You can use "it was incidental" to describe details that are not essential to the main topic. For example, "The damage to the car was minor; "it was incidental" to the main accident."

What can I say instead of "it was incidental"?

You can use alternatives like "it was unintentional", "it was accidental", or "it was secondary" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "it was incidental" and "it was accidental"?

"It was incidental" means something was secondary or not the main focus, while "it was accidental" emphasizes that something happened by chance or without intention. The key difference is focus versus causation.