What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
epiphenomenal
Example
The pain was an epiphenomenal effect of the medication. [epiphenomenal: adjective]
Example
The sound of the birds chirping was epiphenomenal to the beauty of the sunset. [epiphenomenal: adjective]
incidental
Example
The cost of the hotel was incidental to the overall expense of the trip. [incidental: adjective]
Example
The conversation was incidental to the main purpose of the meeting. [incidental: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incidental is more commonly used than epiphenomenal in everyday language. Incidental is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while epiphenomenal is more commonly used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between epiphenomenal and incidental?
Epiphenomenal is a more formal word than incidental. It is often used in technical or academic writing, while incidental is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
