8 Better Ways To Say “By The Way” In Formal Writing

“By the way” is usually a phrase that helps to explain further information. It works well if we missed it in the original message or simply remembered it as an afterthought. However, it’s not particularly formal. This article will look at the best formal alternatives to “by the way.”

What Can I Say Instead Of “By The Way” In Formal Writing?

There are plenty of good ways to say “by the way” in formal writing. We’ll look at the following in this article:

• Please note
• N.B.
• It is worth noting
• It might also be noted
• It might also be observed
• Speaking of which
• This brings to mind
• As a side note

The preferred version is “please note” (or “N.B.” if you want to use the abbreviated form). Both are great ways to add extra information that you didn’t feel fitting into the original message. It only works when there is further information to add.

Please Note

“Please note” works better than “by the way” because it encourages people to pay attention. We can use it to add further information to our formal writing, and “please note” will make sure that people are actually reading what they’re seeing.

If someone overlooks a “please note” message, that’s because they were not paying attention. This is usually a sign that someone is not taking their job seriously.

For the most part, “please note” messages will never be overlooked. It helps us to establish where the important messages are in our formal emails, letters, or documents.

We can use this phrase as follows:

• Please note that I will not be able to take part in this meeting.
• Please note that someone will be along shortly to discuss this matter further.
• Please note that everyone in the office believes they have been wronged by this.

N.B.

“N.B.” is the abbreviation of “please note.” It means “nota bene” in Latin (“note well”). We use it in the same way when we want to draw someone’s attention to a specific message.

The idea of using this phrase is to encourage someone to physically “note down” the information we provide. This will ensure they do not overlook it. Even though it’s additional information, it is usually still just as important as the rest.

The abbreviation works identically to “please note,” as you will see in the following:

• N.B. Someone is going to have to take the fall for this error, and I’ll make sure to find out who.
• N.B. I do not care about your vacation days, and I expect you to be back in the office first thing tomorrow.
• N.B. There are plenty of other places that offer the same contract as you, but for more money.

It Is Worth Noting

“It is worth noting” is another great way we can highlight the next sentence. It helps us to indicate that something is very important and needs to be paid attention to. Even if it did not feature in the main part of the message, the additional information is still worth reading.

Using a phrase like this often helps people to focus on what comes next. Rather than potentially overlooking it, it gives them a chance to read whatever the important information is, which helps there to be no confusion or issues if they missed it.

You could use “it is worth noting” in the following ways:

• It is worth noting that I will be holding an annual meeting about our performance statistics next week.
• It is worth noting that the CEO will be coming down to visit this branch tomorrow.
• It is worth noting that none of you impressed me in my preliminary inspections.

It Might Also Be Noted

We can use “it might also be noted” to draw attention to the next point we make. It is additional information that holds no overall weight to the formal written piece. However, we still want someone to pay attention to it and make sure they’ve understood the message.

You could use this phrase in the following ways:

• It might also be noted that I will not be able to make it in on Tuesday, which I apologize for in advance.
• It might also be noted that I have forgotten to bring in my project, and I’m really sorry about that.
• It might also be noted that the boss has given us two weeks to figure out what to do next before we make a move.

It Might Also Be Observed

“It might also be observed” is identical to “it might also be noted.” We simply use a different verb to show that someone should pay attention to the following point before we make it.

These examples will help you to make sense of it:

• It might also be observed that Jim was not in the office on Tuesday, even though he claimed he was.
• It might also be observed that someone has been taking the food out of the fridge again.
• It might also be observed that there are plenty of avenues we can go down to ensure our profits stay up.

Speaking Of Which

“Speaking of which” works differently from the ones above. To use it correctly, we must make sure that it only ever relates to the previous sentence. If there is no useful point to add from the previous one, then “speaking of which” is unnecessary.

Incidentally, “speaking of which” is a little more informal than the choices above. It’s still better than “by the way,” but it’s worth keeping that in mind if you choose to use it.

Check out these examples to see it in action:

• I will not be taking on any more staff. Speaking of which, does anyone know when the final interviews take place?
• We have come to our decision this afternoon. Speaking of which, we must schedule another meeting to discuss it.
• You should remain at home for the time being. Speaking of which, how are your children getting on?

This Brings To Mind

“This brings to mind” is another slightly more informal phrase. We only use it when we want to add further information to the previous sentence. It works similarly to “speaking of which,” and it helps us to show that something is important enough to be added.

While the message we add might not be important to the overall writing, it is still important to a specific sentence we wrote previously. That’s why “this brings to mind” can work in some cases formally.

Here are a few examples:

• I will be booking the business trip next week. This brings to mind the fact that we need to find out who will be attending.
• This will be taking place on the 3rd. This brings to mind the matter of how we are going to pay for the scheme.
• You are to be placed on probation for the next four weeks. This brings to mind the issue you raised with me earlier today, which we can discuss.

As A Side Note

“As a side note” works well when you want to add further information quickly to a message. It typically works best when it directly relates to the previous sentence, and we can use it to add information to that specific sentence.

The information we add depends on the context. Usually, the “side note” will add a helpful explanatory remark. The reader might already know this, but it could still be useful if we’re not entirely certain whether the reader understood it.

“As a side note” isn’t always the most formal option, but it’s still much better than “by the way.” It shows that you wanted to add more information to help the reader rather than simply making an afterthought.

Here’s how it looks:

• This meeting has been scheduled for Friday. As a side note, I will not be around on Friday to help with the meeting.
• I have made the appropriate ammends. As a side note, Timothy also gave me a hand, and he should be commended.
• I have chosen to remain impartial on these matters. As a side note, I believe it’s in your best interest to do so as well.

Is It Appropriate To Use “By The Way” In Formal Writing?

Now that we’ve seen all the best alternatives, it’s time to circle back to “by the way” for a second. We should look at whether it’s possible to write at all with formal documents.

“By the way” is not appropriate in formal writing. There are no cases where you should use it, and you should stick to one of the alternatives recommended above. It does not look good in emails, letters, or other formal documents.

If anything, it seems like you weren’t paying enough attention during your writing. If you say “by the way,” it’s almost like you’ve had to add on more information before you finish your writing hastily.

This is not a good look if you want to impress someone formally. So, it’s best to keep “by the way” out of your formal writing repertoire.

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