27 Other Ways to Say “By the Way”: Professional & Polite Alternatives (2026)
Finding the right other ways to say by the way can quietly transform how professional your writing sounds. The little phrase “by the way” does a lot of heavy lifting in everyday workplace communication. It introduces a side note, drops in a reminder, or tacks on a last minute thought, and it works in almost every setting. But when you use it in every email, meeting, and message, it starts to sound repetitive, casual, and a little careless. This guide gives you 27 professional, formal, friendly, and email-ready alternatives to “by the way,” each with its tone, best use case, and a real example sentence, so you can add a side note without sounding like you are thinking out loud.
Whether you are writing to a client, updating your manager, or following up after a meeting, the alternatives below will help you sound polished, intentional, and in control of your message. You will also find a quick comparison table, ready to copy email examples, the most common mistakes to avoid, related phrases, cultural usage notes, and answers to the questions people ask most about this phrase.
What Does “By the Way” Mean?
Literally, “by the way” is an idiom that introduces a new subject or adds extra information that is not the main point of the conversation. Think of it as opening a small side door in the middle of your message: you step through it for one sentence, then step back to the main topic. For example: “The report is ready. By the way, the client loved the new charts.” The second sentence is a bonus, not the headline.
In terms of tone, “by the way” is friendly and conversational. It softens the interruption of a new topic, which is why it feels natural in speech, texts, and casual workplace chat. Emotionally, it signals spontaneity: “this just occurred to me.” That spontaneity is charming with friends, but in formal business writing it can read as disorganized, as if you forgot to include the point earlier. A word like however pivots an argument in a new direction; “by the way” simply wanders off the path for a moment. Understanding that difference is the first step to choosing a sharper alternative.
When Is “By the Way” Appropriate at Work?
“By the way” is perfectly fine in low-stakes, informal workplace moments: a quick Slack message to a colleague, a hallway chat, or a casual team standup. It keeps the mood light and human. Problems start when the phrase shows up in formal emails, client proposals, executive summaries, or performance reviews, where every word is expected to look deliberate.
As a rule of thumb, use “by the way” when the relationship is warm and the stakes are low. Replace it when you are writing upward (to a manager or executive), outward (to a client or customer), or on the record (in documentation, contracts, or official announcements). When the tangent needs a clear scope first, framing it in terms of the topic at hand keeps the aside professional instead of chatty. The alternatives below are organized so you can grab the right one for each situation in seconds.
Professional Alternatives for the Workplace
These are neutral, safe, and polished: the professional way to say “by the way” in meetings, reports, and everyday office conversation.
1. On a related note
Tone: Professional and smooth. Best use case: Meetings and discussions where the side point connects to the current topic. Example: “On a related note, the design team finished the mockups this morning.”
2. Additionally
Tone: Formal and efficient. Best use case: Reports, proposals, and presentations where you are stacking facts. When the extra point supports your main point rather than starting a tangent, in addition is often the even stronger choice. Example: “Additionally, we have secured two new vendor quotes.”
3. Furthermore
Tone: Formal and authoritative. Best use case: Business documents and executive summaries. Example: “Furthermore, the pilot program exceeded its targets by 18 percent.”
4. Also worth noting
Tone: Professional with a helpful edge. Best use case: Highlighting a detail the reader might otherwise miss. Example: “Also worth noting, the deadline moves to Friday because of the holiday.”
5. As a side note
Tone: Professional but relaxed. Best use case: Internal emails and team updates where a lighter touch is fine. Example: “As a side note, the office will be closed next Monday.”
6. As an aside
Tone: Refined and slightly literary. Best use case: Presentations and written updates where you want to sound articulate. Example: “As an aside, congratulations to Priya on her promotion.”
7. Speaking of which
Tone: Conversational professional. Best use case: Meetings and calls where the aside flows naturally from what was just said. Example: “Speaking of which, have we confirmed the venue for the launch?”
Formal Alternatives
When the audience is senior, the document is official, or the culture is conservative, these formal alternatives to “by the way” keep you sounding impeccable.
8. Incidentally
Tone: Formal and classic. Best use case: A one-word synonym for “by the way” in formal writing and speeches. Example: “Incidentally, the board approved the budget this morning.”
9. I would also like to mention
Tone: Courteous and formal. Best use case: Client emails and official correspondence. Example: “I would also like to mention that our support hours have been extended.”
10. It is also worth mentioning
Tone: Formal and measured. Best use case: Reports and formal letters where the extra point deserves weight. Example: “It is also worth mentioning that costs have fallen for the third quarter in a row.”
11. Please note that
Tone: Direct and official. Best use case: Announcements, policy updates, and instructions. Example: “Please note that the parking lot will be closed on Saturday.”
12. Kindly be advised that
Tone: Very formal, almost legal. Best use case: Official notices where authority matters. Use sparingly; it can sound stiff. Example: “Kindly be advised that access cards must be renewed by Friday.”
13. For your information
Tone: Formal and neutral. Best use case: Passing along facts without demanding action. Often shortened to FYI, but spell it out in formal writing. Example: “For your information, the maintenance window is scheduled for Sunday night.”
Friendly Alternatives
Warm, human, and still workplace appropriate: ideal for colleagues you know well, team chat, and everyday conversation.
14. Quick heads-up
Tone: Friendly and alert. Best use case: Warnings and timely FYIs to teammates. Example: “Quick heads-up, the server will restart at noon.”
15. Just so you know
Tone: Warm and considerate. Best use case: Sharing useful context without sounding bossy. Example: “Just so you know, Maria is covering the front desk today.”
16. Oh, and one more thing
Tone: Casual and personable. Best use case: Ending a conversation or call with a final point. Example: “Oh, and one more thing, bring your laptop to the workshop.”
17. Fun fact
Tone: Playful and light. Best use case: Icebreakers, team socials, and presentations that need energy. Example: “Fun fact, our first product was built in a garage.”
18. Quick one
Tone: Breezy and informal. Best use case: Dropping into a chat or call with a fast question. Example: “Quick one, are we still meeting at three?”
Email-Ready Alternatives That Sound Polished
These are built for business email phrases and email etiquette: they introduce the aside while keeping the message crisp and professional.
19. P.S.
Tone: Classic and efficient. Best use case: Adding a genuine afterthought at the end of an email. Example: “P.S. I have attached the updated invoice.”
20. Before I forget
Tone: Honest and human. Best use case: Emails to colleagues where a personal touch is welcome. Example: “Before I forget, the client moved our call to Thursday.”
21. Quick reminder
Tone: Helpful and direct. Best use case: Nudges about deadlines, meetings, and action items. Example: “Quick reminder, timesheets are due by five today.”
22. On a separate note
Tone: Professional and organized. Best use case: Starting a new topic cleanly inside an email without mixing threads. Example: “On a separate note, I have sent the contract for your review.”
23. While I have your attention
Tone: Confident and engaging. Best use case: Newsletters, announcements, and updates where you want the reader to keep reading. Example: “While I have your attention, registration for the conference closes Friday.”
24. Also, a gentle reminder
Tone: Polite and soft. Best use case: Following up without sounding pushy. Example: “Also, a gentle reminder that the feedback form closes tomorrow.”
Workplace Alternatives for Meetings and Calls
Spoken, smooth, and meeting ready: use these when you need to raise a side point without derailing the discussion.
25. One quick update
Tone: Professional and concise. Best use case: Standups and status meetings. Example: “One quick update, the QA team cleared the release.”
26. While we are on the topic
Tone: Natural and collaborative. Best use case: Keeping a meeting tangent tied to the agenda. Example: “While we are on the topic, should we revisit the timeline?”
27. Flagging this for you
Tone: Proactive and professional. Best use case: Drawing attention to something important without alarming anyone. Example: “Flagging this for you, the contract renews automatically next month.”
Quick Comparison Table: Which Alternative Fits Where?
| Alternative | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| On a related note | Professional | Meetings and discussions |
| Incidentally | Formal | Formal writing and speeches |
| Also worth noting | Professional | Highlighting key details |
| Quick heads-up | Friendly | Timely warnings to teammates |
| Just so you know | Friendly | Sharing useful context |
| P.S. | Classic | Email afterthoughts |
| On a separate note | Professional | Starting a clean new topic in email |
| Please note that | Formal | Announcements and instructions |
| One quick update | Professional | Standups and status meetings |
| Flagging this for you | Proactive | Important items that need attention |
Email Examples: Copy, Paste, and Send
Here are six ready to use examples for the situations where email etiquette matters most. Most professional emails open with a warm line such as hope this email finds you well before getting to the point; these closers and asides keep that same polish.
To a client
“Thank you for the feedback on the proposal. On a related note, I have included the revised pricing sheet for your review.”
To a manager
“The weekly report is attached. Also worth noting, the vendor confirmed delivery for Monday.”
To a colleague
“Thanks for covering the demo. Before I forget, the slides are in the shared drive.”
To a customer
“Your order has shipped and will arrive Thursday. For your information, tracking updates will appear in your account.”
Networking follow-up
“It was great meeting you at the conference. Speaking of which, I would love to introduce you to our partnerships lead.”
Meeting follow-up
“As discussed, I will send the action items today. On a separate note, I have booked the room for next week’s review.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Overusing any single alternative
Swapping every “by the way” for “on a related note” just moves the repetition problem. Rotate through two or three favorites so your writing stays fresh.
2. Wrong tone for the audience
“Quick heads-up” to a board member or “kindly be advised” to a close teammate both land awkwardly. Match the formality of the alternative to the relationship.
3. Too formal or too casual mismatch
Pairing a warm aside with an icy greeting like to whom it may concern creates a strange mix of tones in one message. Keep the whole email at one temperature.
If the “side note” is actually important, do not disguise it as an aside. Promote it to its own paragraph or subject line so it gets the attention it deserves.
5. Starting sentences with “by the way” in formal documents
In proposals, contracts, and executive summaries, the phrase signals that you are thinking aloud. Use “additionally,” “furthermore,” or “please note” instead.
6. Using P.S. for the main message
A postscript should hold a genuine afterthought. If the reader needs to act on it, put it in the email body instead.
15+ Related Phrases Worth Knowing
These expressions live in the same neighborhood as “by the way.” Knowing them gives you even more ways to shape a sentence around a side point.
- Moreover (adds a stronger supporting point): “Moreover, the data backs up the decision.”
- In addition (adds a point that supports the main one, like when stacking supporting facts): “In addition, two clients renewed early.”
- For instance (when the side note needs a concrete example; see other ways to say for instance for more): “For instance, the checkout page loads in under two seconds.”
- Such as (for a quick inline illustration; more options in other ways to say such as): “Several tools, such as the new dashboard, make this easier.”
- That said (softens a mild contrast after the aside): “That said, we should still watch the budget.”
- On that note (closes a topic with a related final thought): “On that note, let us wrap up the meeting.”
- Speaking of (casual bridge between topics): “Speaking of launches, the date is confirmed.”
- Not to mention (adds an impressive extra point): “Not to mention, she speaks three languages.”
- Along those lines (extends the current idea): “Along those lines, we could test two versions.”
- To that end (connects the aside to a goal): “To that end, I have drafted a checklist.”
- As it happens (adds a lucky coincidence): “As it happens, I met the supplier yesterday.”
- Coincidentally (marks a surprising overlap): “Coincidentally, we chose the same vendor.”
- Parenthetically (formal “by the way” for writing): “Parenthetically, the figures exclude tax.”
- On a different note (signals a clear topic change): “On a different note, the holiday schedule is out.”
- Turning to another matter (very formal topic shift): “Turning to another matter, the audit begins in May.”
- Worth a mention (flags something briefly): “Worth a mention, the new hire starts Monday.”
“By the Way” vs. Its Alternatives: Tone, Formality, and Best Use
The core difference is control. “By the way” announces that the thought just occurred to you, which is honest but unpolished. Its alternatives package the same detour as a deliberate choice. “On a related note” and “additionally” tell the reader you planned the structure. “Incidentally” and “parenthetically” raise the formality without changing the meaning. “Quick heads-up” and “just so you know” keep the warmth while sounding more intentional than the original phrase. Choose based on two questions: how formal is the audience, and how important is the side point? High formality or high importance both point away from “by the way” and toward a sharper alternative.
Cultural Usage: US, UK, and Corporate Norms
US English: Americans use “by the way” constantly in speech and casual work chat. In corporate America, alternatives like “quick heads-up,” “flagging this,” and “one quick update” are standard in fast-moving teams. Overly formal options like “kindly be advised” can sound stiff or even sarcastic in US workplaces.
UK English: British professionals lean slightly more formal in writing. “Incidentally,” “on a related note,” and “I would also like to mention” fit naturally in UK business emails, while “quick one” and “fun fact” stay firmly in casual territory.
Corporate communication: In large companies, written norms favor structure. “Additionally,” “furthermore,” and “please note” appear in official memos, while “as a side note” and “speaking of which” suit internal updates and town halls.
Customer service: Support teams do best with warm clarity: “just so you know,” “also worth noting,” and “quick reminder” keep customers informed without sounding robotic.
Networking: At events and in follow-up emails, “speaking of which” and “while I have your attention” turn small talk into genuine connection points.
FAQs About “By the Way” and Its Alternatives
1. What is a professional way to say “by the way”?
“On a related note” and “also worth noting” are the safest professional picks. They sound deliberate in emails, meetings, and reports without changing your meaning.
2. Is “by the way” formal or informal?
It is informal to neutral. It works in conversation and casual workplace chat, but it is too casual for formal business writing, proposals, and executive communication.
3. What is a formal alternative to “by the way”?
“Incidentally,” “I would also like to mention,” and “it is also worth mentioning” are strong formal alternatives for official documents and senior audiences.
4. Can I use “by the way” in a business email?
Sparingly. One casual “by the way” to a colleague you know well is harmless, but in client emails or formal messages, swap it for “on a separate note” or “also worth noting.”
5. What is a good synonym for “by the way” in an email?
“P.S.” for true afterthoughts, “on a separate note” for new topics, and “quick reminder” for nudges. Each fits a slightly different email situation.
6. How do you say “by the way” politely?
“Just so you know” and “quick heads-up” are polite and warm. For more formal settings, “I would also like to mention” keeps the courtesy level high.
7. Is “incidentally” the same as “by the way”?
Nearly, but “incidentally” is more formal and slightly more detached. It works better in writing, while “by the way” feels more natural in speech.
8. What can I say instead of “by the way” in a meeting?
“One quick update,” “while we are on the topic,” and “speaking of which” all raise a side point smoothly without derailing the agenda.
9. How do you end an email with an afterthought?
Use “P.S.” followed by one short sentence. Keep it to a genuine afterthought; if the point needs action, put it in the email body instead.
10. Is “FYI” a good replacement for “by the way”?
Not exactly. FYI (“for your information”) passes along facts neutrally, while “by the way” introduces a conversational aside. They overlap, but the tone is different, so pick based on how warm you want to sound.
Final Summary: The Best Picks
Best professional pick: “On a related note.” It works in almost every workplace situation and never sounds out of place.
Best formal pick: “Incidentally.” One word, classic, and perfectly at home in official writing.
Best casual pick: “Quick heads-up.” Friendly, fast, and ideal for teammates.
Best email pick: “On a separate note.” It keeps threads clean and your message organized.
Mastering these alternatives is a small change with an outsized payoff: your emails read as more intentional, your meetings stay on track, and your professional communication sounds like it comes from someone fully in command of the message. For the authoritative definition behind it all, the Cambridge Dictionary defines by the way as an idiom for introducing a new subject or adding information, which is exactly the job every alternative on this list performs, just with better manners.
