note in passing

USAGE SUMMARY

'note in passing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to note something quickly and in passing, usually in a written text, usually referring to an aside, comment, or observation. For example: "Note in passing that the last sentence was a metaphor for something much deeper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None of them resigned in protest, I note in passing.

The Guardian

We note in passing that the average Economist reader is 47.

The Economist

Obama also did note in passing that America's economy and military are the most formidable in the world.

The Washington Post

While climbing I was content to note in passing the shapes and colors of plants and flowers.

The New York Times - Sports

I note in passing that Xenophon seems to have an awful lot of balls in the air.

The Guardian

One should note in passing the recent high-profile announcement by the cancer charities about the increasing incidence of breast cancer that was blamed on lifestyle.

The Guardian - Opinion

I note in passing that it is not said that 16 November was the earliest possible date even for just all the newspapers.

The Guardian - Tech

In the meantime, I'll just note in passing that News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt seems a bit cranky with the communications minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The Guardian

Suffice it to note in passing that the Mail's editorial sells the pass in paragraph three when it says of the budget: "Admittedly, it could have been worse".

The Guardian

We note in passing that the selection featured in Rural's white pages may also fail the originality requirement for another reason.

Harvard University

We note in passing that the incremental cost of offering unwed fathers an opportunity for individualized hearings on fitness appears to be minimal.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "note in passing" to introduce a related but non-essential piece of information without disrupting the main flow of your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "note in passing" excessively, as it can clutter your writing and distract the reader from your primary points. Reserve it for truly relevant asides.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "note in passing" functions as an introductory device, signaling a brief, often parenthetical, remark or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, used to introduce an aside.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

53%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "note in passing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce brief, related but non-essential information into a text. As Ludwig AI states, it functions as an introductory device, signaling a tangential remark. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using "note in passing", it's crucial to avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "mention briefly" or "remark in passing" can be used depending on the specific context. Ultimately, the effective application of "note in passing" lies in its ability to enrich the text without diverting from its central purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remark in passing

Synonymous, but uses "remark" instead of "note".

make a passing comment

Emphasizes the comment as being transient and not central.

mention briefly

Focuses on the act of mentioning, emphasizing brevity.

observe incidentally

Highlights the incidental nature of the observation.

add as an aside

Highlights the off-topic or supplementary nature of the information.

state parenthetically

Emphasizes the parenthetical nature of the statement.

interject briefly

Suggests an abrupt and short insertion of information.

touch on briefly

Suggests a light and quick treatment of a topic.

allude to tangentially

Implies an indirect and somewhat distant connection.

glance at in passing

Emphasizes the fleeting and superficial look at something.

FAQs

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

Use "note in passing" to introduce a brief comment or observation that is related to the main topic but not essential to the overall argument. For example, "The study confirmed previous findings; "note in passing", this was the third such confirmation this year."

What are some alternatives to "note in passing"?

You can use alternatives like "mention briefly", "remark in passing", or "observe incidentally" depending on the context.

Is "note in passing" formal or informal?

"Note in passing" can be used in both formal and informal writing, but it's more common in formal contexts like academic papers or news articles. In very informal settings, a simpler phrase like "by the way" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "note in passing" and "mention in passing"?

While similar, ""note in passing"" often implies a slightly more considered observation, whereas "mention in passing" simply indicates a brief reference without necessarily highlighting its significance.