side question

USAGE SUMMARY

"side question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask a question that is related to, but not the primary focus of, a discussion. For example, "I wanted to ask about the new project budget - side question, do you know when the deadline is?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mine is a side question.

The New Yorker

And, side question, who are 'they'?" Wilbur, who was older and rather worldlier, remained calm.

The New Yorker

A side question though is whether - assuming there is sapphire in the next iPhone screens - this will damage the business of iPhone repair companies.

The Guardian - Tech

4. The three hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, but none create a system "like the present day". 5. Side question - What effect (if any) on other biogeochemical cycles does the apparently low level of herbivory have? 1.

University of California, Berkeley

… He wouldn't like singing 'Land of Hope and Glory.'" (That's a British patriotic song, for all you NATO-demeaning non-Anglo-Saxons out there. Side question: Does anyone like singing "Land of Hope and Glory"?) These comments, pretty clearly aimed at reminding readers that the president is only half (roughly speaking) Anglo-Saxon, were deemed offensive.

The New York Times

After failing in her 2007 effort to ban chickens from any residential neighborhood, Ms. Lane has now hatched a proposal that would affect only her 18th Ward, but some of her constituents on the South Side question what she is doing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Suddenly, Strauss finds his position in the 50-over side questioned if not yet threatened.

Independent

What neither side questions is the popularity of AR-15s, which dealers say fairly leap off the shelves.

The New York Times

Even when we do remember to ask the other side questions, we sometimes ask questions that are unlikely to shed much light on the negotiation scenario at hand.

Harvard University

When United roved forward Lingard continued to be a factor, making intelligent runs from the right to the left that posed Leonid Slutsky's side questions.

The Guardian - Sport

But while many might like to subscribe to this message of solidarity, the yes side questions how possible it is within the current UK political setup.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "side question" when you want to acknowledge that a question is not directly on topic but still important enough to address.

Common error

Avoid using "side question" too frequently, as it can disrupt the flow of your writing or conversation and make it seem disorganized. Reserve it for truly relevant but tangential inquiries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "side question" functions as a discourse marker or transitional phrase, introducing a question that is related but not central to the main topic of discussion. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it serves to interject a related inquiry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "side question" is a useful phrase to introduce a question that is related but not the main focus of a conversation or written piece. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and focus. Consider alternatives like "related question" or "tangential question" for more formal settings. Remember that the goal is always to make the question fit seamlessly within the discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related question

Indicates a connection to the main topic but with less emphasis on its secondary importance.

tangential question

Emphasizes the peripheral nature of the question, suggesting it's somewhat off the main topic.

incidental question

Highlights the casual or unplanned nature of the question.

follow-up question

Suggests a question that arises directly from a previous point, though not necessarily central.

additional question

Simply indicates another question is being posed, without specifying its relevance to the main topic.

by the way question

Emphasizes the informal introduction of the question, often as an afterthought.

minor question

Indicates a question of lesser importance compared to the primary subject.

secondary inquiry

A more formal way of referring to a question that is not the main focus.

subsidiary question

Suggests that the question is subordinate to a larger, more important question.

offshoot question

Indicates a question that branches out from the main topic, implying a less direct connection.

FAQs

How can I use "side question" in a sentence?

You can use "side question" to introduce a question that is related to the main topic but is not the primary focus. For example, "We're discussing the marketing budget; side question, did we finalize the social media strategy?"

What's a more formal alternative to "side question"?

For a more formal setting, you could use "related question" or "tangential question". These phrases maintain a professional tone while still indicating the question is not the main focus.

Is "side question" appropriate for academic writing?

While "side question" is generally acceptable, in academic writing, it's often better to use more formal phrases like "secondary inquiry" or "subsidiary question" to maintain a scholarly tone.

What's the difference between a "side question" and a "follow-up question"?

A "side question" is related but tangential to the main topic. A "follow-up question" arises directly from something that was just said and seeks clarification or more detail about that specific point.