40 Ways To Say “By The Way” Professionally (Real Examples)

The phrase “By the way” is one of those conversational fillers that sneak into emails, meetings, and even job interviews. It’s casual, friendly—but not always professional. Whether you’re updating a colleague, looping in your manager, or adding a side note in a report, there are more refined and creative ways to get your point across.

This article explores 40 alternative phrases to “by the way,” with meanings, tones, real-world use cases, and tips for which audience each fits best—whether you’re crafting emails, resumes, casual chats, or business communications.

Is It Professional or Polite to Say “By the Way”?

 Yes, “By the way” is generally considered polite and acceptable in both casual and semi-professional settings, especially in spoken conversation or informal emails. However, in more formal or business-critical communication, it can sound slightly offhand or abrupt. 

That’s why professionals often use alternatives like “Just to let you know,” “For your information,” or “Allow me to add” to maintain a more polished tone. The key is to match the phrase with the tone of your audience and the context of the message.

✅ Advantages of Saying “By the Way”

1. Smoothly Transitions Between Topics

Why it works: “By the way” serves as a casual bridge between subjects, helping to introduce secondary points without sounding abrupt.

Ideal for: Informal emails, light conversations, team check-ins.

Example: “By the way, the client meeting has been moved to Thursday.”

2. Adds a Conversational, Human Touch

Why it works: It brings a friendly and approachable tone to communication, making interactions feel more personal.

Ideal for: Peer chats, internal team messaging, casual business interactions.

Example: “By the way, great job on that report last week!”

3. Helps Share Extra (Yet Helpful) Info

Why it works: It’s perfect for sharing relevant but non-critical information in a non-intrusive way.

Ideal for: Slack messages, wrap-up notes, client calls.

Example: “By the way, I’ve uploaded the new slides in the shared folder.”

4. Universally Recognized and Understood

Why it works: The phrase is widely used and easily understood across cultures, reducing chances of miscommunication.

Ideal for: Multinational teams, everyday interactions.

Example: “By the way, I’ll be on leave next Monday.”

5. Keeps the Tone Light

Why it works: Unlike more formal transitions, “by the way” keeps things breezy and less rigid.

Ideal for: Brainstorming sessions, casual updates, low-stakes feedback.

Example: “By the way, have you checked out the new logo concept?”

⚠️ Disadvantages of Saying “By the Way”

1. Can Sound Too Informal in Formal Settings

Why it’s a drawback: In professional emails or presentations, it may come across as too casual or lacking structure.

Better Alternative: “Additionally” or “In addition to that…”

Example: Replace “By the way” with “In addition to our earlier point, here are the budget revisions.”

2. May Undermine the Importance of a Point

Why it’s a drawback: It can make important updates seem like an afterthought or less significant.

Better Alternative: “It’s worth noting…”

Example: Instead of “By the way, we need your approval,” try “It’s worth noting that your approval is required to proceed.”

3. Could Be Seen as Disorganized

Why it’s a drawback: If overused, it may give the impression of scattered or unfocused communication.

Better Alternative: “Let me also note…” or “As a final point…”

Example: Avoid “By the way” in structured reports—use “To conclude” instead.

4. Lacks Professional Precision

Why it’s a drawback: It doesn’t clarify whether the additional information is optional, urgent, or contextual.

Better Alternative: “For your information” or “Just a heads-up…”

Example: Replace “By the way, there’s a delay” with “Just a heads-up—there’s a delay in shipping timelines.”

5. Doesn’t Always Fit Written Business Communication

Why it’s a drawback: In formal writing, it can feel out of place or grammatically awkward, especially in documentation or reports.

Better Alternative: “As a side note” or “To add to that…”

Example: In a white paper, instead of saying “By the way,” try “To add to that insight…”

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🎯 When to Say “By the Way”—And When to Switch It Up

✅ Use “By the Way” When…	🚫 Avoid “By the Way” When…
You’re adding a casual point in a friendly conversation.	You’re writing formal business communications or reports.
You want to insert a quick note without derailing the main message.	You’re delivering critical or time-sensitive updates.
You’re chatting with peers or teammates informally.	The message requires precision, clarity, or a polished tone.
You’re looking to keep the tone light and conversational.	You’re speaking with executives, clients, or external partners.
You’re closing out an email or meeting with a minor reminder.	You want to emphasize a point’s significance or priority.

Synonyms“By the Way”: 

1. “As a Side Note”

Meaning: A minor point or extra information.
Tone: Neutral, slightly formal.
Use Case: Best for email updates or client communications.
Example: “As a side note, the client requested we send the documents by Friday.”
Why Use It: It signals a relevant detail without breaking the flow.

2. “Just to Let You Know”

Meaning: You’re giving someone a heads-up.
Tone: Friendly and informative.
Use Case: Works in casual emails or Slack messages.
Example: “Just to let you know, I’ll be working remotely tomorrow.”
Why Use It: Simple and direct; perfect for informal workplace updates.

3. “Incidentally”

Meaning: A piece of info loosely related to the topic.
Tone: Formal and elegant.
Use Case: Great for presentations or reports.
Example: “Incidentally, the marketing team has also proposed a budget increase.”
Why Use It: Sounds polished; ideal for professional reports or memos.

4. “In Addition”

Meaning: Adds more value or detail.
Tone: Professional and structured.
Use Case: Resume bullet points or proposal documents.
Example: “In addition, I led a team of five to improve efficiency by 30%.”
Why Use It: Makes achievements stand out formally.

5. “Just So You’re Aware”

Meaning: A soft heads-up.
Tone: Gentle and respectful.
Use Case: Ideal for managers or cross-functional team updates.
Example: “Just so you’re aware, the vendor changed the delivery timeline.”
Why Use It: Non-confrontational, good for sensitive topics.

6. “On Another Note”

Meaning: Switching topics slightly.
Tone: Conversational.
Use Case: Emails or calls when changing the subject.
Example: “On another note, are we still on for Friday’s review?”
Why Use It: Keeps transitions smooth and professional.

7. “As an Aside”

Meaning: A tangential point.
Tone: Intellectual, formal.
Use Case: Academic or editorial content.
Example: “As an aside, the research also revealed a surprising trend.”
Why Use It: Adds sophistication; good for thoughtful commentary.

8. “For Your Information”

Meaning: Sharing data or insight.
Tone: Formal, sometimes stiff.
Use Case: Technical updates or client-facing communication.
Example: “For your information, we’ve updated the compliance policy.”
Why Use It: Useful when you want to inform without requesting action.

9. “In Case It’s Helpful”

Meaning: Sharing optional but useful info.
Tone: Supportive and considerate.
Use Case: Offering resources or suggestions.
Example: “In case it’s helpful, here’s a link to our guide.”
Why Use It: Great for collaboration and teamwork.

10. “I’d Like to Mention”

Meaning: You’re introducing something extra.
Tone: Polite and direct.
Use Case: Meetings, presentations, or formal emails.
Example: “I’d like to mention that Q3 projections are ahead of target.”
Why Use It: Sounds confident without sounding forceful.

11. “Allow Me to Add”

Meaning: You’re adding your viewpoint.
Tone: Respectful, formal.
Use Case: Team discussions, debates.
Example: “Allow me to add, the timeline may need adjustment.”
Why Use It: Shows humility and consideration for others’ views.

12. “In Connection With That”

Meaning: Builds on previous info.
Tone: Very formal.
Use Case: Contracts, reports, or professional writing.
Example: “In connection with that, we’ve updated the vendor agreement.”
Why Use It: Ideal for official or legal documents.

13. “As a Reminder”

Meaning: Reinforcing past information.
Tone: Direct but helpful.
Use Case: Task management and follow-ups.
Example: “As a reminder, the deadline is this Friday.”
Why Use It: Keeps projects on track without sounding harsh.

14. “Let Me Also Note”

Meaning: You’re emphasizing an extra point.
Tone: Balanced and professional.
Use Case: Reports or stakeholder updates.
Example: “Let me also note that support tickets have decreased.”
Why Use It: Adds emphasis while sounding analytical.

15. “Not to Overlook”

Meaning: Don’t miss this detail.
Tone: Slightly assertive.
Use Case: Strategy documents or presentations.
Example: “Not to overlook, our user base doubled last quarter.”
Why Use It: Great for highlighting overlooked wins.

16. “Additionally”

Meaning: You’re adding more data or facts.
Tone: Clean, formal.
Use Case: Reports, resumes, or data summaries.
Example: “Additionally, I managed two cross-functional teams.”
Why Use It: Enhances clarity and rhythm in formal writing.

17. “As a Quick Update”

Meaning: A short burst of news.
Tone: Efficient and friendly.
Use Case: Internal team communication.
Example: “As a quick update, the app is now live.”
Why Use It: Keeps communication brisk and productive.

18. “For Future Reference”

Meaning: Something to remember later.
Tone: Informative, neutral.
Use Case: FAQs, onboarding docs, emails.
Example: “For future reference, use the new login credentials.”
Why Use It: Encourages long-term retention of info.

19. “Just a Heads-Up”

Meaning: Advance warning.
Tone: Casual and friendly.
Use Case: Peer-to-peer updates or team messages.
Example: “Just a heads-up, the meeting might run long.”
Why Use It: Friendly alert without being too formal.

20. “To Keep You in the Loop”

Meaning: Making someone aware of ongoing events.
Tone: Inclusive and helpful.
Use Case: Updates to stakeholders.
Example: “To keep you in the loop, the proposal’s been approved.”
Why Use It: Encourages transparency.

21. “To Clarify”

Meaning: You’re adding clarity or correcting something.
Tone: Professional and exact.
Use Case: Explaining or correcting prior info.
Example: “To clarify, we’re targeting a June 1st launch.”
Why Use It: Reduces confusion, especially in complex projects.

22. “For the Record”

Meaning: A formal or permanent note.
Tone: Serious, sometimes assertive.
Use Case: Legal, HR, or formal logs.
Example: “For the record, the client declined that option.”
Why Use It: Establishes official facts.

23. “It’s Worth Mentioning”

Meaning: The detail deserves attention.
Tone: Thoughtful and professional.
Use Case: Meetings or summaries.
Example: “It’s worth mentioning the cost has remained stable.”
Why Use It: Gives weight to overlooked items.

24. “Allow Me to Bring Up”

Meaning: Introducing a new but related topic.
Tone: Polite and assertive.
Use Case: Group discussions or brainstorms.
Example: “Allow me to bring up a possible concern about scheduling.”
Why Use It: Smooth way to interject during discussions.

25. “To Follow Up On”

Meaning: Revisiting something previously discussed.
Tone: Action-oriented.
Use Case: Email threads, meeting recaps.
Example: “To follow up on our last conversation, I’ve attached the files.”
Why Use It: Keeps conversations organized.

26. “I’d Like to Note”

Meaning: Sharing something deliberately.
Tone: Professional and personal.
Use Case: Highlighting effort or outcomes.
Example: “I’d like to note your team’s efforts made a big difference.”
Why Use It: Recognizes people while staying formal.

27. “Please Be Advised”

Meaning: A formal way to warn or inform.
Tone: Serious and legalistic.
Use Case: Policies, contracts, or official notices.
Example: “Please be advised, the building will be closed Friday.”
Why Use It: Works best when stakes are high.

28. “About That”

Meaning: Returning to a previous point.
Tone: Casual and slightly humorous.
Use Case: Light internal chats or relaxed meetings.
Example: “About that report—we may need a revision.”
Why Use It: Great for diffusing tension with humor.

29. “With That Said”

Meaning: A transition phrase.
Tone: Balanced and smooth.
Use Case: Formal writing or switching perspectives.
Example: “With that said, we still need more data.”
Why Use It: Great for moving from praise to critique.

30. “Just a Small Addition”

Meaning: You’re offering a tiny extra point.
Tone: Modest and kind.
Use Case: Team chats or brainstorming.
Example: “Just a small addition—maybe we include a video demo?”
Why Use It: Adds ideas without overpowering others.

31. “While We’re at It”

Meaning: Let’s discuss another related point while we’re already talking.
Tone: Casual, conversational.
Use Case: Team meetings or brainstorming sessions.
Example: “While we’re at it, should we finalize the design mockups too?”
Why Use It: Smoothly introduces a side topic without sounding off-track.
Audience Fit: Perfect for informal team discussions or project huddles.

32. “Before I Forget”

Meaning: Introducing something you don’t want to miss mentioning.
Tone: Friendly and personal.
Use Case: One-on-one conversations, quick catch-ups.
Example: “Before I forget, the client sent over the updated brief.”
Why Use It: Shows urgency and thoughtfulness.
Audience Fit: Great for managers, peers, or direct reports in casual settings.

33. “Now That You Mention It”

Meaning: Responding with a relevant or related thought.
Tone: Reflective, conversational.
Use Case: Group chats, informal brainstorming.
Example: “Now that you mention it, we might need another draft.”
Why Use It: Shows active listening and engagement.
Audience Fit: Best for collaborative or creative environments.

34. “One More Thing”

Meaning: Adding something important at the end of a message or speech.
Tone: Curious, sometimes dramatic.
Use Case: Presentations, pitches, or wrap-ups.
Example: “One more thing—don’t forget the quarterly review next week.”
Why Use It: Adds impact, especially when used for emphasis.
Audience Fit: Great for speeches or formal communication with flair.

35. “That Reminds Me”

Meaning: Something just triggered a related thought.
Tone: Friendly and spontaneous.
Use Case: Client calls, informal emails.
Example: “That reminds me—we need to renew our license by Friday.”
Why Use It: Keeps tone light while staying relevant.
Audience Fit: Good for client-facing roles and peer conversations.

36. “Speaking of Which”

Meaning: A smooth segue from one point to a related one.
Tone: Conversational, witty.
Use Case: Team syncs, watercooler chats.
Example: “Speaking of which, did you see the new dashboard updates?”
Why Use It: Natural way to introduce related topics.
Audience Fit: Perfect for casual team communication.

37. “Circling Back”

Meaning: Revisiting a prior point or thread.
Tone: Professional and polished.
Use Case: Email follow-ups, client interactions.
Example: “Circling back to our earlier discussion on Q2 targets…”
Why Use It: Great for structured updates or progress checks.
Audience Fit: Corporate, project management, and B2B communication.

38. “In Light of That”

Meaning: A point relevant because of previous information.
Tone: Formal and analytical.
Use Case: Executive summaries, board reports.
Example: “In light of that feedback, we’ve updated the proposal.”
Why Use It: Sounds thoughtful and strategic.
Audience Fit: Senior leadership, decision-makers.

39. “Just a Note”

Meaning: A quick addition or reminder.
Tone: Friendly and efficient.
Use Case: Quick emails or post-meeting messages.
Example: “Just a note—Monday is a public holiday.”
Why Use It: Efficient way to share quick info.
Audience Fit: Broad — works for everyone from interns to executives.

40. “By Way of Update”

Meaning: Introducing new information or progress.
Tone: Formal and report-like.
Use Case: Project updates, stakeholder emails.
Example: “By way of update, the testing phase is now complete.”
Why Use It: Signals structured, meaningful progress.
Audience Fit: Business analysts, managers, consultants.

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✅ Conclusion

In daily communication—whether professional, casual, or somewhere in between—how you say something can completely shape how it’s received. That’s why having smart alternatives to a phrase like “by the way” is so powerful. With the examples in 40 Ways To Say “By the Way” Professionally (Real Examples), you can enhance clarity, boost credibility, and fine-tune your tone with ease.

Whether you’re drafting an email to your boss, messaging a client, or chatting with colleagues, these phrases help you sound intentional and polished. From “Just a Heads-Up” to “Let Me Also Note,” each synonym offers a specific nuance suited for different settings. Mastering these expressions not only makes you a better communicator but shows that you value how your message lands.

❓ FAQ’s

What is a more professional way to say “By the Way”?

A more professional alternative is “Additionally,” “In Addition,” or “Just to Let You Know.” These versions sound polished and are ideal for business communication, emails, or meetings.

Can I use “By the Way” in a formal email?

You can, but it depends on the tone and recipient. For formal emails, consider using phrases like “For Your Information,” “To Clarify,” or “Allow Me to Add” to keep the message professional.

What are casual alternatives to “By the Way”?

Casual options include “On Another Note,” “Just a Heads-Up,” or “As a Side Note.” These keep the tone light and friendly, perfect for internal team messages or informal conversations.

Why should I avoid overusing “By the Way”?

Overusing “By the Way” can make your message feel disorganized or too casual. It might also minimize the importance of what you’re adding. Use context-appropriate synonyms to stay clear and effective.

How do I choose the right alternative to “By the Way”?

Think about your audience and the purpose of your message. Use professional phrases like “Please Be Advised” or “Let Me Also Note” in formal settings, and lighter ones like “As a Quick Update” or “Incidentally” in casual chats.

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