To digress briefly
Academic discourse marker used to connect ideas
Literalmente: To wander away for a short time
Use this phrase to signal a short, relevant side-note while keeping your main conversation organized.
En 15 segundos
- A polite signal for taking a temporary conversational detour.
- Used to share side-notes without losing the main point.
- Common in presentations, lectures, and structured storytelling.
Significado
It is like taking a tiny detour while you are talking. You temporarily leave your main topic to share a quick side-story or related thought before returning to the point.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 7Giving a business presentation
To digress briefly, the 2022 marketing data shows a similar pattern of growth.
To digress briefly, the 2022 marketing data shows a similar pattern of growth.
Telling a story to a group of friends
To digress briefly, the waiter at that restaurant was actually my cousin!
To digress briefly, the waiter at that restaurant was actually my cousin!
Writing a formal academic essay
To digress briefly, it is worth noting the political climate of the era.
To digress briefly, it is worth noting the political climate of the era.
Contexto cultural
The phrase stems from the Latin 'digredi', meaning 'to go away'. In Western academic and legal traditions, it is a sign of high-level rhetorical skill to navigate away from and back to a main argument seamlessly.
The 'Anyway' Bridge
Always follow up your digression with 'Anyway' or 'As I was saying' to help your listeners find their way back to the main point.
Don't Stay Away Too Long
The key word is 'briefly'. If your side-story lasts more than a minute, it's no longer a digression—it's a distraction!
En 15 segundos
- A polite signal for taking a temporary conversational detour.
- Used to share side-notes without losing the main point.
- Common in presentations, lectures, and structured storytelling.
What It Means
Imagine you are driving on a highway. Suddenly, you see a cool viewpoint. You take a quick exit to look. Then, you get right back on the highway. That is exactly what to digress briefly does in conversation. It tells people you are leaving the main topic. You promise to come back very soon. It is a polite way to share a side-thought without confusing your audience.
How To Use It
You usually say this right before you share the side-story. Use it like a verbal blinker or turn signal. It prepares your listeners for a change in direction. You can say, "To digress briefly, I once met the author." After your short story, use a word like anyway or back to my point to return. It keeps your speech organized and professional. It shows you know you are off-topic.
When To Use It
Use this during a long presentation at work. It works great when telling a complex story to friends. It is perfect for academic writing or formal emails. Use it when you realize you are getting off-topic. It shows you are self-aware and respect people's time. It helps maintain the flow of a long explanation without losing the thread.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a fast-paced emergency. If the building is on fire, just give instructions! Avoid it in very short, one-sentence answers. It can sound a bit "stuffy" or overly formal at a loud, casual party. Do not use it if your "detour" lasts ten minutes. That is not a brief digression anymore; that is a whole new conversation!
Cultural Background
This phrase has deep roots in classical rhetoric. Ancient Greek and Roman orators used digressions to keep audiences interested. In English culture, using this phrase shows a structured mind. It suggests you have a lot of interesting knowledge to share. It is a sign of a sophisticated and polite communicator who cares about clarity.
Common Variations
You might hear if I may digress. Some people say as a brief aside. In casual talk, people say not to get off track, but.... You can also use a quick detour. All of these serve the same conversational purpose. They manage the listener's expectations perfectly while allowing you to be a bit more spontaneous.
Notas de uso
This is a high-level C1 expression. It is most effective in structured environments like meetings, lectures, or formal writing. Be careful not to use it in very casual, fast-paced slang-heavy conversations.
The 'Anyway' Bridge
Always follow up your digression with 'Anyway' or 'As I was saying' to help your listeners find their way back to the main point.
Don't Stay Away Too Long
The key word is 'briefly'. If your side-story lasts more than a minute, it's no longer a digression—it's a distraction!
The Professor Vibe
Using this phrase makes you sound very educated and thoughtful. It's a favorite of British academics and 'intellectual' characters in movies.
Ejemplos
7To digress briefly, the 2022 marketing data shows a similar pattern of growth.
To digress briefly, the 2022 marketing data shows a similar pattern of growth.
The speaker uses it to bring in supporting evidence from the past.
To digress briefly, the waiter at that restaurant was actually my cousin!
To digress briefly, the waiter at that restaurant was actually my cousin!
Adds a fun personal detail that isn't the main point of the story.
To digress briefly, it is worth noting the political climate of the era.
To digress briefly, it is worth noting the political climate of the era.
Used to provide necessary context before returning to the main thesis.
To digress briefly, did you see the lead actor's new haircut in the interview?
To digress briefly, did you see the lead actor's new haircut in the interview?
A slightly more structured way to change the subject in a text.
To digress briefly, my own research in the 90s actually contradicted this theory.
To digress briefly, my own research in the 90s actually contradicted this theory.
Shows the speaker's authority while adding a personal touch.
To digress briefly, I think I'm just hungry and that's why I'm annoyed.
To digress briefly, I think I'm just hungry and that's why I'm annoyed.
A humorous self-correction during an emotional vent.
To digress briefly, I remember when the groom couldn't even boil water.
To digress briefly, I remember when the groom couldn't even boil water.
Uses a small anecdote to build up to a larger emotional point.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best phrase to signal a quick side-note in a meeting.
The budget is tight this year. ___, we should also consider the new office furniture.
This phrase signals that the office furniture is a side-topic related to the budget.
Complete the sentence to show you are returning to your main point.
To digress briefly, I love your shoes. ___, let's get back to the project plan.
'Anyway' is the standard way to signal the end of a digression and a return to the main topic.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of Side-Note Markers
Used with close friends.
By the way...
Good for most situations.
Anyway...
Professional or academic settings.
To digress briefly...
Where to use 'To Digress Briefly'
University Lecture
Mentioning a related study.
Corporate Boardroom
Adding a quick budget note.
Long Storytelling
Sharing a funny side-detail.
Formal Email
Referencing a past project.
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt means to wander away from the main path or subject. Think of it as taking a temporary exit from a highway.
It is a bit formal, but you can use it with friends to sound funny or to show you know you're talking too much. For example: To digress briefly, I really need a snack.
Usually, it should only be one or two sentences. If it goes longer, you might lose your audience's attention.
Yes, it is very common in academic writing to provide context. It helps the reader follow your logic.
By the way is much more casual and often starts a whole new conversation. To digress briefly implies you are definitely coming back to the first topic.
No, the phrase itself acts as a polite signal. It shows you are in control of the conversation.
Yes, you can say Allow me a brief digression. It means the exact same thing.
Absolutely! it shows you have high-level communication skills and can manage complex thoughts.
It is used in both, though it might feel slightly more common in British English due to its formal tone.
Then you have 'gone off on a tangent.' A digression is a loop; a tangent is a straight line away from the circle!
Try to avoid it. Using it too much makes you seem disorganized or easily distracted.
Rarely. In texts, people usually just use Anyway... or Random thought: to change the subject.
Frases relacionadas
As an aside
A comment made that is not part of the main subject.
By the way
A casual way to introduce a new or related topic.
To get off track
To start talking about something unrelated by accident.
Back to the point
A phrase used to return to the main topic after a detour.
Comentarios (0)
Inicia Sesión para ComentarEmpieza a aprender idiomas gratis
Empieza Gratis