mentioned in passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mentioned in passing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase any time you want to describe an event or topic that was mentioned casually in conversation. For example: "The new office policy was briefly mentioned in passing during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Perhaps Babe Ruth was mentioned in passing.

The New York Times - Sports

I've only heard his name mentioned in passing.

The New Yorker

The design of the planar X-ray waveguide-monochromator is mentioned in passing.

Thin Solid Films

"Secondly, when they have purged people in the past it was mentioned in passing.

The Guardian

The reporter's name was mentioned in passing after 33 paragraphs of the 41-paragraph article.

The Guardian

Cockerill's name was barely mentioned in passing as the speculation mounted.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Sokol then takes the idea to Buffett, mentioning "in passing" that he owns some Lubrizol stock.

The New York Times

I especially took heart from a surprising literary fact that Calasso mentions in passing.

The New Yorker

But a death is not something you mention in passing to someone you run into.

The New Yorker

I also mention in passing some of my personal links to research carried out in CSSS after its founding.

Statistical Methodology

You mention in passing that Lynette's grandfather was from Sierra Leone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are writing a literary analysis of a novel, use "mentioned in passing" to point out minor plot details.

Common error

Avoid using "mentioned in passing" when the information is actually crucial to the understanding of the topic. This phrase is best used for truly incidental details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mentioned in passing" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how something was mentioned. Ludwig's examples show its usage across diverse contexts, emphasizing brevity and lack of focus.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mentioned in passing" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something was referred to briefly and without significant detail. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the information you're describing is indeed incidental and doesn't require further emphasis. To signal even more subtle references, alternatives such as "briefly alluded to" or "casually remarked" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incidentally noted

Stresses the incidental nature of the mention, suggesting it was not the main focus.

briefly touched upon

Highlights the act of briefly addressing a subject, similar to "mentioned in passing" but more active.

casually remarked

Emphasizes the casual manner of the remark, differing slightly from the neutral tone of "mentioned in passing".

touched on lightly

Highlights the lack of depth in the discussion, while "mentioned in passing" simply notes the brevity.

fleetingly referred to

Emphasizes the brief duration of the reference, adding a sense of transience.

alluded to in brief

Implies an indirect reference that was also short, combining aspects of both alluding and brevity.

briefly alluded to

Focuses on the act of alluding, implying an indirect reference, while "mentioned in passing" is more direct.

tangentially discussed

Indicates a connection to the main topic, but only in a peripheral way, which adds context.

hinted at in passing

Implies a subtle or indirect suggestion, unlike the more explicit nature of a mention.

parenthetically noted

Suggests the information was added as an aside, which affects how it's perceived.

FAQs

How can I use "mentioned in passing" in a sentence?

Use "mentioned in passing" to indicate that something was referred to briefly and casually. For example, "The company's financial troubles were "mentioned in passing" during the board meeting."

What are some alternatives to "mentioned in passing"?

You can use alternatives such as "briefly alluded to", "casually remarked", or "touched on lightly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is "mentioned in passing"?

When something is "mentioned in passing", it means it was brought up quickly and without much detail, often as a side note or incidental comment.

Is there a difference between ""mentioned in passing"" and "discussed in detail"?

Yes, ""mentioned in passing"" implies a brief, casual reference, while "discussed in detail" suggests a thorough and comprehensive examination of the topic.