optional note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "optional note" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that a note is not mandatory and can be included at the discretion of the reader or writer. For example, "Please see the optional note at the end of the document for additional information." Alternative expressions include "additional note" and "supplementary note."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

An optional note.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Part B (1704.0) is an optional note that provides additional background on how housing prices are measured.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Make sure you place your songs (optional notes in bottles to wash up on these shores) in comments below by last orders (11pm UK time) on Monday 23 March, for his selection to be published next Thursday 26 March.

The Guardian - Music

Pianissimi were often and well spun, high notes (the optional high note Radvanovsky took when Maria brands Elisabetta an "obscene and unworthy whore" was particularly thrilling) rang out, and, with the exception of a lacking trill at the end of "O Nube" and some lagging in agility as she negotiated the ensemble following the Confrontation, the vocal climaxes she built to were electrifying.

Huffington Post

Coarse sea salt, fennel seeds, caraway seeds or kalunji seeds (optional) (see note).

The New York Times - Magazine

For the kale: 2tablespoons olive oil 2shallots, minced 4cloves garlic, minced 2small bunches kale (like red Russian), ribs removed and torn into pieces Salt to taste 1preserved lemon rind, minced 1/2teaspoon maras pepper (optional; see note).

The New York Times

The days are over when the crowd was filled with voice geeks who could identify transpositions, cuts, and optional high notes.

The New Yorker

While the death penalty remains legal under international law in limited circumstances, there is, as the Optional Protocol notes, a strong suggestion in international law that the total abolition of the death penalty is desirable.

HuffPost

Advancit and Freelands will also offer all EF media/tech companies additional funding in the form of an optional £50,000 convertible note.

TechCrunch

To check if it would sound good on the piano, check out some covers of it on YouTube or somewhere else on the Internet (Optional, but recommended) Note: Just because someone played it amazingly doesn't mean you will too (this goes for all instruments) When you know for sure that you want to learn this song, download it on your iPod or any other music player (MP3, CD).

WikiHow

Depending on the model, the maximum clearance may only be obtainable with AWD and perhaps other optional equipment as noted.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "optional note" when you want to signal that the information is available but not essential, allowing readers to decide if they need the extra detail.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "optional notes", as too many can disrupt the flow and dilute the core message. Reserve them for genuinely helpful, but non-essential, details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "optional note" functions as a modifier + noun construction. "Optional" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "note", indicating that the note is not mandatory. Ludwig confirms this construction is used to introduce supplementary, non-essential information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "optional note" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon way to indicate that a piece of information is supplementary and not essential. As Ludwig AI indicates, it functions as a modifier + noun construction, serving to provide additional context across various writing styles. While its frequency is rare, its usage spans diverse contexts, from academic papers and news articles to wikis. When using "optional note", ensure the information truly enhances understanding without being crucial, avoiding overuse to maintain clarity and flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

optional annotation

Using annotation in place of note to give it a formal and technical tone

optional footnote

Replaces 'note' with 'footnote', specified for extra note at the bottom of the page.

supplementary remark

Replaces 'note' with 'remark', suggesting a comment or observation added for extra information.

additional comment

Uses 'comment' instead of 'note', implying a brief explanation or opinion added as extra.

extra remark

Using remark instead of note, implies a short statement or comment.

non-essential annotation

Replaces 'note' with 'annotation', emphasizing a descriptive or explanatory addition that isn't essential.

voluntary notation

Replaces 'note' with 'notation', which refers to a record or note, especially one made for future use.

suggested addendum

Replaces 'note' with 'addendum', implying additional material added at the end, which is suggested but not mandatory.

recommended aside

Replaces 'note' with 'aside', suggesting a comment that digresses from the main point, but is recommended.

discretionary observation

Emphasizes the freedom to include the observation or not, based on one's discretion.

FAQs

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

You can use "optional note" to indicate that a piece of information is not required but provides additional context. For example, "See the "optional note" at the end of the section for more details."

What's an alternative to using the phrase "optional note"?

Alternatives include "supplementary remark", "additional comment", or "non-essential annotation", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to include an "optional note"?

It's appropriate to include an "optional note" when you want to provide extra information that is helpful but not crucial to understanding the main content. This allows readers to choose whether they need the additional details.

Is there a difference between an "optional note" and a mandatory one?

Yes, an "optional note" is not required and can be skipped without losing essential information, while a mandatory note contains crucial details that are necessary for understanding the subject matter.