passing mention

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing mention" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is briefly or quickly mentioned without much detail or discussion. For example: "Despite the passing mention, he was not aware of the details of the plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Massino's own crimes received only passing mention on Wednesday.

The New York Times

"Bee Movie" makes only passing mention of the queen.

The New York Times

There's a passing mention of "Supreme Court Justice Anita Hill".

The New Yorker

However, you gave only passing mention to (and overlooked the importance of) the Ecole Nationale d'Administration.

The Economist

The Court makes only passing mention of this agreement in Part II-B of its opinion.

Cornell University

Still, the passing mention of bicker reminded me of something from that time.

Princeton University

And with a passing mention of something from his home state, Dekker gets going.

The Washington Post

Other writers, worthy enough, must receive passing mention: they are the geographers Strabo (c.

Britannica

But just that passing mention of committees shows the last remaining problem.

The Guardian

During her own childhood, the author had heard only passing mention of her eccentric great-aunt.

The Guardian - Books

Explanations inevitably involve a convoluted history lesson, a litany of spices and ethnic groups, and a passing mention of tomatoes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing mention" when you want to indicate that something was mentioned briefly without significant detail or analysis. It's suitable when the topic is not the main focus.

Common error

Avoid using "passing mention" if the topic requires a thorough explanation or is central to your argument. In such cases, provide more comprehensive information instead of a brief reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing mention" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object of a verb (e.g., receive, give, make). It describes the act of briefly referring to something, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing mention" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a brief reference to something. Ludwig confirms its validity and demonstrates its wide usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the brevity is appropriate for the topic's importance. Alternatives like "brief reference" or "fleeting remark" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember that while the phrase is versatile, it's best suited for topics that don't require in-depth analysis. Ludwig's analysis underscores its function as a noun phrase signaling a topic's acknowledged but secondary role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief reference

Focuses on the brevity of the reference itself.

fleeting remark

Emphasizes the transient nature of the comment.

cursory observation

Highlights the superficial nature of the observation.

quick acknowledgement

Stresses the act of recognizing something briefly.

incidental comment

Suggests the comment was not central to the discussion.

casual aside

Implies the mention was informal and not planned.

tangential note

Indicates the mention was only loosely related to the main topic.

short statement

Focuses on the length of the statement.

limited discussion

Highlights the lack of detailed examination.

superficial treatment

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the handling of the topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing mention" to indicate that something was mentioned briefly and not discussed in detail. For example, "The report gave a passing mention to the environmental impact of the project."

What are some alternatives to "passing mention"?

You can use alternatives like "brief reference", "fleeting remark", or "cursory observation" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "passing mention" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to acknowledge something without delving into it deeply. However, ensure the brevity doesn't undermine the importance of the topic in the overall context.

What's the difference between "passing mention" and "detailed analysis"?

"Passing mention" indicates a brief, superficial reference, while "detailed analysis" implies a thorough and in-depth examination of a subject. Use "passing mention" when a topic requires only a quick acknowledgment, and "detailed analysis" when a comprehensive understanding is necessary.