side comments

USAGE SUMMARY

"side comments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about remarks or thoughts that are not directly related to the topic of discussion. For example, "During the meeting, several people made side comments about the new office furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The most telling moments come in Tyson's frequent side comments.

The New Yorker

Mr. Abbas spoke in front of the journalists in Arabic, with a Hebrew interpreter, but when Mr. Bar spoke in English, he nodded and interjected a few side comments.

The New York Times

She will press him "to make sure they don't cross any lines that make it more difficult to take their side," comments Constanze Stelzenmüller of the German Marshall Fund.

The Economist

Their side comments during battles can be quite entertaining, as when a soldier marks the death of a particularly savage monster by saying, "That guy was really freaking me out; I'm glad he's dead".

The New York Times

Nick Calio, the White House legislative affairs director, realized the endgame by September 2002: "Judging from Bush's side comments and body language, Calio assumed that the question on Iraq was not if but when there would be a war".

The New York Times

The book advances not by plot, but rather through anecdotes, flashbacks, side comments and observations, and as the flashbacks and characters pile up, it becomes hard work to keep pace with them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Neither side commented yesterday.

Independent

Neither side commented on the ruling because the judge has barred the parties from speaking publicly about the case.

The New York Times - Sports

Neither side commented on the talks, which will resume today in Toronto before moving to New York on Monday and Tuesday.

The New York Times

While Michael spoke to George, Edna drew me to one side, commenting on how pretty Lois was.

The Guardian

So this is just a side comment about what's happening in Beijing, at the rather unhappy summit between the U.S. and China.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "side comments" to add color and context to a primary narrative, but avoid letting them distract from your main point. Consider how they enhance or detract from the overall message.

Common error

Avoid overloading your writing or speech with too many "side comments", as this can confuse your audience and dilute your message. Ensure each "side comment" serves a clear purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "side comments" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, indicating that it refers to remarks that are secondary or not central to the main topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "side comments" are additional or tangential remarks that provide extra information, context, or opinions without disrupting the main topic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news, media, and wiki sources. While appropriate in many contexts, it's best to use "side comments" sparingly in formal writing to avoid diluting your message. Alternatives such as "incidental remarks" or "casual observations" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Use them to add color and context to a primary narrative, but avoid distracting from your main point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incidental remarks

Focuses on the unplanned and less significant nature of the comments.

casual observations

Highlights the relaxed and informal nature of the comments.

offhand remarks

Emphasizes the spontaneous and perhaps not fully considered nature of the comments.

passing comments

Indicates that the comments are brief and quickly mentioned.

brief remarks

Highlights the brevity and conciseness of the comments.

additional notes

Suggests supplementary or extra information being added.

supplementary remarks

Indicates comments that are added to provide further information or clarification.

tangential remarks

Highlights that the comments deviate slightly from the main topic.

background commentary

Refers to comments that provide context or additional information.

parenthetical remarks

Emphasizes that the comments are inserted as an aside, similar to parentheses in writing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "side comments" in writing?

Integrate "side comments" to provide context, humor, or additional insights, but ensure they don't overshadow your main argument. Keep them concise and relevant.

What are some alternatives to using "side comments"?

Consider using phrases like "incidental remarks", "casual observations", or "offhand remarks" depending on the context.

Are "side comments" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, use "side comments" sparingly in formal writing. They are more suited to less formal contexts. In academic papers for example is much better to simply integrate that information in the main content.

How do "side comments" differ from direct comments?

"Side comments" are tangential or additional remarks, whereas direct comments address the primary topic directly and are central to the main discussion.