joke apart

USAGE SUMMARY

"joke apart" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to take something seriously, usually after a lighthearted or humorous statement has been made. Example: "I know we've been making jokes all day, but joke apart, we really need to start studying for our exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's the longest-standing joke apart from Mornington Crescent, and it's all made up by readers.

The Guardian - Tech

The actual content of May's speech inevitably recalls the old joke: "Apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?" Her task in the speech was not to rise above her party's plight but to outshine her rivals.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has one excellent gag line, after Dorothy disclaims witchy status: pointing at Toto, Glinda inquires, "Well, is that the witch?" This joke apart, she spends the scene looking generally benevolent and loving and rather too heavily powdered.

The New Yorker

This is the economics profession's equivalent of the old joke: "Apart from that Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?" Once the dust has settled, there is a strong case for an inquiry into whether the teaching of economics has been captured by a small but dangerous sect.

The Guardian - Business

It happens less frequently now these days, we've both got our own families, but if we do end up in the pub or at weddings and if I make a joke, apart from my wife, the first person I will look at in the room is David to see if it was funny or not".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The critic Molly Haskell, in her biting collection "From Reverence to Rape" (1974), describes "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" as "society's final revenge on Davis' and Crawford's star image and on their power: the implication, by the exaggeration of their exaggerations, that they were never real, never women, but were some kind of joke, apart from women and a warning to them".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Political jokes apart, the crisis has spawned much black humor as Serbs attempt to make the best of their situation.

The Washington Post

It is impossible to conceive today – joking apart – of a "Johnson declaration" that could have even a fraction of the impact of the one made by Balfour.

The Guardian

I wish I had much more space to take jokes apart, look at their cogs and springs, work out what makes them tick.

The Guardian

It can be overwhelming, it can be tempting to just pursue the "woodland celebrities" and, joking apart, it can be hard to see the species for the trees.

The Guardian - Travel

House of Saddam (BBC2) is like The Sopranos without the jokes, apart from a sterling performance by Chemical Ali ("You are a funny man, Ali") to lighten the thickening darkness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "joke apart" to signal a shift from a humorous tone to a more serious or important point. It's effective in both speech and writing to refocus the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "joke apart" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in general communication, more formal phrases like "in all seriousness" may be more appropriate for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "joke apart" functions as an adverbial phrase, serving to modify the rest of the sentence by indicating a change in tone from humorous to serious. Ludwig confirms its validity. It's commonly used to signal a transition to a more important point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "joke apart" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to transition from a humorous tone to a serious point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not as common as other similar phrases like "all joking aside", it serves a distinct purpose in redirecting conversations towards more focused discussions. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, especially in News & Media. Remember to use it consciously to signal a change in tone and emphasize the importance of what follows.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all joking aside

Emphasizes a transition from a humorous mood to a serious one.

kidding aside

Similar to "all joking aside", but with a slightly less formal tone.

leaving jokes aside

Specifies an intention to move beyond the realm of humor.

putting jokes aside

Indicates a conscious decision to set aside humor.

seriously speaking

Directly indicates a shift to a serious perspective.

in all seriousness

Highlights the earnestness of the statement being made.

on a serious note

Introduces a serious point or topic.

to be serious

A direct statement of intent to be earnest.

without joking

Emphasizes the lack of humor in the statement that follows.

lightheartedness aside

Acknowledges the previous lightheartedness before moving on.

FAQs

How can I use "joke apart" in a sentence?

You can use "joke apart" to transition from a humorous statement to a serious point, like in this example: "I know we've been laughing, but "joke apart", we need to address this issue seriously."

What's a good alternative to "joke apart"?

Alternatives include "seriously speaking", "in all seriousness", or "all joking aside", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "jokes aside" instead of "joke apart"?

While similar in meaning, "jokes aside" more broadly suggests setting aside humor in general. "Joke apart" is often used to single out a specific joke before moving to a serious topic.

What's the difference between "joke apart" and "joking aside"?

Both phrases signal a transition to seriousness, but "joking aside" is a more general instruction to stop joking. "Joke apart" can refer to a specific previous comment that should not detract from the seriousness of the following point.