mentioning in passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mentioning in passing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is briefly mentioned without going into detail. Example: "During the meeting, she was mentioning in passing the new project timeline, but we didn't discuss it further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

One Syngenta executive, mentioning in passing his recent lunch with Barack Obama, claimed that "a small group of activists and hobby bee-keepers" were behind that campaign for a ban.

The Guardian

It is further worth mentioning in passing that the Polish Biblical Creationist Society is allied with the young-earth creationists who also support the ID movement.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

(It's worth mentioning, in passing, that though Britten's income was enormous by the early 1960s, he never seems to have contemplated moving abroad again after the 1940s American adventure, even though much of his income must have been taxed at 95% – put it down to a social conscience).

The Guardian - Books

Are the slime mould's achievements simply "cute", worthy of mentioning in passing but nothing to take too seriously?

Journal of Molecular Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 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

"This set is built on an old Indian graveyard," a crew member mentioned in passing.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New Yorker

Issues of sibling rivalry are left unaddressed, although Ms. Minnelli's name is mentioned in passing.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mentioning in passing" to introduce a topic without delving into extensive detail. This sets the stage for potential future elaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "mentioning in passing" excessively, especially if the information is crucial to the context. Overuse can make your writing seem dismissive or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mentioning in passing" is to act as a modifier indicating the manner in which something is mentioned. It describes the action of mentioning as brief and not central to the main topic. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples showing it used to qualify how a topic was introduced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mentioning in passing" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to indicate a brief and non-essential reference to a topic. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, while remaining fairly neutral in register. As Ludwig AI suggests, its function is to lightly introduce topics. While using "mentioning in passing", it's important to avoid overuse and to be mindful of clarity in more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casually mentioning

Stresses the informal and relaxed manner of the mention.

briefly noting

A more concise and direct alternative.

referring to incidentally

Implies a more indirect and less deliberate reference.

incidentally stating

Emphasizes the unplanned or coincidental nature of the statement.

alluding to briefly

Focuses on indirect suggestion rather than direct mention.

touching upon lightly

Emphasizes the superficial nature of the discussion.

making a fleeting reference to

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the mention.

parenthetically observing

Suggests the mention is an aside or additional comment.

glancing upon

Implies a cursory and swift examination or mention.

only hinting at

Focuses on subtle implication rather than explicit statement.

FAQs

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

You can use "mentioning in passing" to indicate that you are bringing up a topic briefly and without going into much detail. For example, "She was "mentioning in passing" her new job, but we didn't get a chance to talk about it properly".

What are some alternatives to "mentioning in passing"?

Alternatives include "briefly noting", "casually mentioning", or "incidentally stating". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "mentioning in passing" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider whether a more direct phrase might be clearer in formal contexts. Something like "briefly noting" can maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "mentioning in passing" and "discussing in detail"?

"Mentioning in passing" implies a brief, superficial reference, whereas "discussing in detail" indicates a thorough and comprehensive examination of a subject. The former is a light touch; the latter, an in-depth exploration.