just an aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"just an aside" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally speaking, it is used when you want to make a comment that is separate from the main topic of the sentence. For example, "I love strawberry ice cream, just an aside, vanilla is my favorite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He offers no plan to "dramatically" curtail emissions of CO2, just an aside that "we may well be able to rein in our greenhouse-gas emissions".

The New Yorker

Just an aside: I'm sitting in a coffee shop near the hospital, waiting for word, and they have news TV on in the corner, so I'm watching coverage of the Supremes on marriage out of the corner of my eye (along with "New Jersey woman unaware of pregnancy, gives birth on front lawn").

The New York Times

He offers no plan to "dramatically" curtail emissions of CO2, just an aside that "we may well be able to rein in our greenhouse-gas emissions". As the governor of Massachusetts, Romney, in December, 2005, pulled out of a Northeast-state agreement on carbon reduction a plan that he had supported the month before.

The New Yorker

This is just an aside about influence, but there's a real conversation going on between Carl Andre's 1966 Equivalent VIII, his once-notorious bricks, Richard Long's line of white lumps of chalk from 1984, and a 1966 work, a wall-bound cast of a patch of London wasteground, which itself includes stray bits of brick rubble, by the Boyle Family.

The Guardian - Arts

Well, in this kind of so-called impossible situation, very much like the Vietnamese malnutrition, where it's just the way it is, and by the way, as just an aside, if you bring this up with your doctor or nurse next time you're in a hospital, the odds are very high they're going to say, yeah, we're aware of this but you know, this is a hospital.

Harvard Business Review

Just an aside – mEgo was one of my personal favorites at TechCrunch40.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

By the way, just as an aside: Am I the only one repelled by the tackiness of Ryan's presentations?

The New York Times

"Just as an aside".

The New York Times

(Just as an aside: he has certainly convinced me).

The New York Times

"It was just as an aside," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So that's just as an aside, a little tip for any artist.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just an aside" to introduce related but non-essential information without disrupting the main flow of your writing. It helps maintain clarity by signaling a temporary digression.

Common error

Avoid using "just an aside" too frequently, as it can clutter your writing and distract readers from your primary message. Reserve it for truly relevant but tangential points.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "just an aside" is to serve as an adverbial phrase, modifying the surrounding clause by indicating a digression or tangential comment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces information separate from the main topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just an aside" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered phrase used to introduce tangential but related information. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It functions as an adverbial phrase to signal a digression. While primarily found in news and media, it is acceptable in formal and scientific writing, albeit less common. To avoid overuse, reserve it for genuinely relevant points. Alternatives include "by the way" or "as a side note". The phrase demonstrates an ability to communicate additional thoughts without disrupting the primary message, so it is a great way to keep the main point clear and concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the way

Shorter and more direct, suitable for informal contexts.

as a side note

Slightly more formal, emphasizes the supplementary nature of the information.

in passing

Suggests a brief and casual mention.

incidentally

Introduces a related but not essential piece of information.

on a slightly different note

Signals a shift in topic that is still related to the main subject.

parenthetically speaking

More formal, emphasizing the insertion of a clarifying or additional remark.

as an digression

Directly indicates a temporary departure from the main subject.

as a matter of interest

Highlights the interesting, though not crucial, nature of the information.

tangentially speaking

Clearly indicates that the comment is related to the main topic but not central.

as a brief digression

Similar to "as a digression" but emphasizing the brevity of the departure from the main topic.

FAQs

How can I use "just an aside" in a sentence?

Use "just an aside" to introduce a comment that is related to the main topic but not essential to it. For example, "The meeting was productive; "just an aside", I loved your presentation".

What are some alternatives to "just an aside"?

Alternatives include "by the way", "as a side note", or "incidentally". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "just an aside" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "just an aside" is more suited to informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using a more formal phrase like "parenthetically speaking" or "as a matter of interest".

What's the difference between "just an aside" and "in passing"?

"Just an aside" introduces a related point, while "in passing" suggests a very brief and casual mention. "Just an aside" allows for slightly more elaboration than "in passing".