Incidently vs. Incidentally — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 1, 2024
"Incidently" is incorrect; the correct spelling is "incidentally," which means occurring or likely to occur as an unpredictable or minor accompaniment.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Incidently or Incidentally
How to spell Incidentally?
Incidently
Incorrect Spelling
Incidentally
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"Incidentally" has the same rhythm and structure as "fundamentally."
Note the extra 'al' in "incidentally" — similar to "accidentally."
The word 'ally' (like a friend) can help remember 'ally' in "incidentally."
The word 'incident' has two 'i's; "incidentally" adds another in 'ally.'
"Incident" is the base; add 'ally' for the adverb form.
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How Do You Spell Incidentally Correctly?
Incorrect: The meeting was postponed, and incidently, I won't be able to attend the rescheduled date.
Correct: The meeting was postponed, and incidentally, I won't be able to attend the rescheduled date.
Incorrect: Incidently, have you seen my keys anywhere?
Correct: Incidentally, have you seen my keys anywhere?
Incorrect: He incidently discovered a solution to the problem.
Correct: He incidentally discovered a solution to the problem.
Incorrect: I found the book incidently while cleaning the attic.
Correct: I found the book incidentally while cleaning the attic.
Incorrect: She mentioned, incidently, that she would be in town next week.
Correct: She mentioned, incidentally, that she would be in town next week.
Incidentally Definitions
By chance, in a coincidental or secondary manner.
He found the lost keys incidentally while cleaning the house.
As a minor or secondary item in discussion.
Incidentally, the meeting also covered budget concerns.
Used to introduce a statement that provides additional information or changes the subject.
Incidentally, I saw your friend at the store.
Speaking of which; used to introduce a related topic.
Incidentally, how did your interview go yesterday?
Without intention or planning.
She bumped into her old teacher incidentally at the café.
As a minor or subordinate matter
By profession a lawyer and incidentally a musician.
(also -dĕntlē) Apart from the main subject; parenthetically.
(manner) In an incidental manner; not of central or critical importance.
The book discussed the subject, but only incidentally.
By chance; in an unplanned way.
Parenthetically, by the way.
Incidentally, did you hear anything new from your brother yesterday?
Introducing a different topic;
By the way, I won't go to the party
In an incidental manner;
These magnificent achievements were only incidentally influenced by Oriental models
By the way;
Apropos, can you lend me some money for the weekend?
Incidentally Meaning in a Sentence
Incidentally, did you know that Mr. Jones is retiring next month?
He found the lost document incidentally while searching for something else.
Incidentally, this fact contradicts what was previously believed.
Incidentally, I heard that your sister got the job she wanted.
The book, incidentally, has some fascinating insights on this topic.
I'll be in New York next week, and incidentally, I'd love to catch up.
Incidentally, that's a great idea, and we should explore it further.
We bumped into each other incidentally at the grocery store.
They discovered, incidentally, that the two events were connected.
The discovery was made incidentally during a routine check.
They bumped into a celebrity incidentally while on vacation.
The artist, incidentally, is a close friend of mine.
Incidentally, the meeting has been moved to a new location.
I came across an old photo of us incidentally while organizing my album.
Incidentally, that color looks great on you.
Incidentally, the solution was simpler than we thought.
You mentioned your garden, and incidentally, I have some seeds you might like.
Incidentally, the main character in the novel is based on a real person.
This event, incidentally, is where I met my best friend.
I stumbled upon this shop incidentally, and it's fantastic.
I'll need to leave early today, and incidentally, can you cover for me?
The law, incidentally, applies to both citizens and visitors.
Incidentally, I won't need the car tomorrow if you want to use it.
It's funny how we both, incidentally, chose the same vacation spot.
Incidentally, the project turned out to be a huge success.
Incidentally Idioms & Phrases
Just incidentally
Used to introduce a point or fact that is not the main focus of the conversation.
Just incidentally, have you completed the report I asked for?
Not to change the subject, but incidentally
A polite way of slightly changing the topic to introduce related but new information.
Not to change the subject, but incidentally, how's your new job going?
And incidentally
Used to add information or make a side point in the middle of a conversation.
And incidentally, I won't be able to make it to the meeting tomorrow.
It's worth noting incidentally
A phrase used to introduce information that is supplementary but worth mentioning.
It's worth noting incidentally that the venue has changed.
Incidentally speaking
A phrase used when adding information that is not the main subject but is related or interesting.
Incidentally speaking, did you know he's moving to Spain?
Common Curiosities
Why is it called incidentally?
It's called incidentally because it denotes something happening by chance or as a secondary matter.
What is the root word of incidentally?
The root word is "incident."
What is the pronunciation of incidentally?
Incidentally is pronounced as /ˌɪn.sɪˈden.təl.i/.
What is the plural form of incidentally?
As an adverb, incidentally does not have a plural form.
Which vowel is used before incidentally?
Typically, 'an' is used before incidentally.
Which conjunction is used with incidentally?
Incidentally can be used with conjunctions like "and" or "but" to connect sentences.
What is the verb form of incidentally?
Incidentally does not have a verb form; it's an adverb.
Is incidentally an adverb?
Yes, incidentally is an adverb.
What is the singular form of incidentally?
Incidentally does not have a singular or plural form; it's an adverb.
Which article is used with incidentally?
Articles are not typically used directly with adverbs like incidentally.
Is incidentally a vowel or consonant?
The term 'incidentally' starts with a vowel letter 'i,' but as a whole, it's an adverb, not a vowel or consonant.
Is the incidentally term a metaphor?
Incidentally is not typically used as a metaphor.
Is incidentally a negative or positive word?
Incidentally is neutral; it's neither inherently negative nor positive.
Is the word incidentally imperative?
No, incidentally is not imperative; it's an adverb used to add information or change the topic.
Is the word incidentally a Gerund?
No, incidentally is not a gerund.
Is the word “incidentally” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Incidentally is an adverb and does not serve as an object.
How many syllables are in incidentally?
There are five syllables in incidentally.
What part of speech is incidentally?
Incidentally is an adverb.
Which determiner is used with incidentally?
Determiners are not typically used with adverbs like incidentally.
Which preposition is used with incidentally?
Prepositions are not typically used directly with incidentally.
Is incidentally an abstract noun?
No, it is not a noun; it's an adverb.
Is incidentally a collective noun?
No, incidentally is not a noun.
What is the opposite of incidentally?
There isn't a direct opposite, but "deliberately" contrasts with the chance aspect of incidentally.
How do we divide incidentally into syllables?
Incidentally is divided as in-ci-dent-al-ly.
What is another term for incidentally?
Another term for incidentally is "by the way."
How is incidentally used in a sentence?
"Incidentally, I heard that your proposal was well-received by the committee."
Is incidentally a noun or adjective?
Incidentally is an adverb.
Is incidentally a countable noun?
No, incidentally is not a noun; it's an adverb.
What is the stressed syllable in incidentally?
The stressed syllable in incidentally is 'dent.'
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.