purely incidental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purely incidental" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means something that is not the main focus or intention, but still happens or exists as a result of something else. Example: The beautiful view from our hotel room was purely incidental, as we had booked the room for its convenient location near the conference venue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The fact that their actions bolster the cause of gun regulation is purely incidental.

The New York Times

That they happen to do it at weddings is purely incidental.

The New York Times

Insofar as he believed in any of the policies he espoused, that belief would be purely incidental.

The New Yorker

It would also cover, no doubt, dozens of incidents in which the fact that a victim is black or homosexual or Catholic is purely incidental to a random act of violence.

The Economist

But I'm not sure how much that really matters, because it seems to me that the soundtracks and the looks are purely incidental to the fact that Britain just needs to forget its problems on the dancefloor right now.

The Guardian - Music

The eponymous Pierre can find no meaning in what he calls "the hopeless interior gloom" of Hamlet, or draw from the general story "those superficial and purely incidental lessons, wherein the painstaking moralist so complacently expatiates".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This is purely co-incidental.

Journal of Cloud Computing

The incidental drama, too, is purely sonic, made by the echoing and surging of sound from one ensemble to another.

The New York Times - Arts

and Jim Kaat (283 wins), as well as Minoso's Cuban countrymen Tony Oliva (.304 lifetime, three batting titles) and Luis Tiant, (a stylish 229-172 record with a 3.30 E.R.A .. Supporters argue that Minoso's trailblazer status is incidental to his candidacy, that he merits inclusion purely as a ballplayer.

The New York Times

Now, I exercise purely because it makes me feel good; if a benefit is that I can eat two helpings of pudding, that's incidental.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Incidental Intelligence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purely incidental" when you want to emphasize that something happened or exists as a side effect, without being the main purpose or intention. It adds clarity when distinguishing primary goals from secondary outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "purely incidental" when the incidental aspect is actually somewhat important or has a noticeable impact. The phrase suggests a negligible effect, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purely incidental" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is secondary, unintentional, or not of primary importance. It emphasizes the subordinate nature of the described element as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "purely incidental" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is secondary or unintentional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the minor significance of an element or outcome. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. While alternatives exist, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "purely incidental" when something truly is of negligible importance, and avoid overstating its insignificance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally incidental

Replaces "purely" with "totally", emphasizing complete lack of importance.

completely incidental

Uses "completely" instead of "purely", stressing thorough insignificance.

utterly incidental

Emphasizes insignificance with "utterly" instead of "purely".

absolutely incidental

Uses "absolutely" instead of "purely", reinforcing insignificance.

clearly incidental

Substitutes "purely" with "clearly", highlighting obvious secondary nature.

merely incidental

Indicates something is "merely" incidental, lessening its importance.

only incidental

Replaces "purely" with "only", indicating sole reason for being secondary.

simply incidental

Highlights incidental status with "simply" instead of "purely".

solely incidental

Indicates that the incidental nature is the "sole" aspect of its existence.

quite incidental

Replaces "purely" with "quite", slightly softening the declaration of secondary status.

FAQs

How can I use "purely incidental" in a sentence?

You can use "purely incidental" to describe something that occurs as a secondary or unintentional result. For example, "The fact that their actions bolster the cause of gun regulation is "purely incidental"".

What are some alternatives to "purely incidental"?

Alternatives include "totally incidental", "completely incidental", or "merely incidental", depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "incidental" instead of "purely incidental"?

While "incidental" can be used, adding "purely" emphasizes the lack of intention or importance of the side effect. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of emphasis.

What is the difference between "purely incidental" and "unintentional"?

"Unintentional" focuses on the lack of intent, while "purely incidental" emphasizes that something happened as a secondary consequence. While related, "purely incidental" also suggests a lack of significance, beyond just being unplanned.