passing comment

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing comment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a brief or casual remark made while talking about something else. Here is an example sentence: She made a passing comment about her dislike for horror movies during our conversation about favorite genres.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tzekos left without passing comment.

Independent

But one passing comment demands correction.

The New York Times - Books

Playing off a passing comment, Colbert called for wine.

The New Yorker

You might want to make that distinction before passing comment.

The Guardian - Film

But that passing comment — and debatable premise — is all she offers to explain Soviet policy.

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes those who are happily passing comment simply did not know what they are talking about.

Independent

Bannon has travelled widely, passing comment on politics and supporting rightwing groups.

The Guardian

I promise never to forget that passing comment you made about my upper-arm flab.

The New Yorker

"He's not going to be shy of passing comment on his team-mates.

The Guardian

Mr McCririck was repeatedly urged to "control his aggression" and "refrain from grandstanding" or passing comment during his appearance.

Independent

"We'll wait for the league to take the appropriate steps before passing comment and we will then consider our position.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing comment" to indicate a brief and often casual remark, especially when it's not the central point of the discussion. It adds a touch of informality and suggests the comment is secondary in importance.

Common error

Avoid building a significant argument or conclusion solely on a "passing comment". Ensure the context and weight of the comment align with its intended brevity. Don't treat it as a major point if it was intended as a minor observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing comment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'make a passing comment') or as a subject complement. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing a brief or incidental remark made during a conversation or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing comment" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a brief, often casual remark made incidentally during a conversation or discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to downplay the importance of the comment, indicating that it's not the central focus. Usage spans across various contexts, but it's most frequent in News & Media. Remember to use it to add context lightly, without building significant arguments upon it. Consider alternatives like "brief remark" or "casual remark" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief remark

Focuses on the brevity of the comment.

side comment

Highlights that the comment was made as an aside to the main topic.

casual remark

Emphasizes the informality and lack of seriousness of the comment.

offhand remark

Implies the comment was made casually and without premeditation.

incidental remark

Highlights that the comment was not the main focus of the conversation.

quick observation

Focuses on the speed and succinctness of the comment.

chance remark

Highlights that the comment was unplanned or accidental.

fleeting observation

Suggests a quick and perhaps superficial comment.

throwaway line

Indicates that the comment was delivered without much thought or importance.

parenthetical remark

Refers to a comment that is inserted as an aside, like a parenthetical statement.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing comment" to describe a remark that is made briefly and casually, often as an aside. For example, "She made a "passing comment" about the weather."

What's a good alternative to "passing comment"?

Alternatives include "brief remark", "casual remark", or "incidental remark". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to build an argument based on a "passing comment"?

Generally, it's not advisable to build a strong argument solely on a "passing comment" as it implies the remark was not intended to carry significant weight. A "passing comment" is by definition, a minor observation.

What is the difference between a "passing comment" and a general 'comment'?

A general 'comment' can be any remark, while a "passing comment" specifically refers to a brief, casual, and often tangential remark. The addition of "passing" indicates its fleeting and less important nature.