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On a serious note
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a serious note" is correct and can be used in written English
You use it to transition from a humorous or informal tone to a more serious one. For example, "We've been joking around about this situation, but on a serious note, we need to figure out how to resolve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He finished on a serious note.

News & Media

The Guardian

"But on a serious note, I truly do apologize.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

On a serious note, I have been guilty of being a "dick atheist" myself, albeit unwittingly.

News & Media

The Guardian

But on a serious note, I like to watch the racing and I've been to a few grands prix.

News & Media

Independent

Gomez paid tribute to Sounders fans on his Twitter page: On a serious note, Seattle fans are pretty classy.

News & Media

The New York Times

If we are staying on a serious note for the moment, there is an intriguing question here.

News & Media

The Guardian

"On a serious note," Michael Che said to close the segment, "Friday night, former president George H.W. Bush passed away.

News & Media

The Washington Post

On a serious note, if you're lactose intolerant, watch out; DJs love slathering you in 90s cheese.

News & Media

The Guardian

On a serious note, I hope this is the last time I see Ferguson in a Gers strip".

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

He mocked the culture of the rich-guy hunting expedition ("Slowly, I turned off the A/C") and concluded on a serious note.

News & Media

The New Yorker

On a serious note: I like your line of reasoning in general, but I question your assignment of the burden of proof.

Academia

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "on a serious note" to smoothly transition from a lighthearted or humorous discussion to a more important or solemn topic. This signals to your audience that the tone of the conversation is about to shift.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "on a serious note" when the entire conversation or writing piece is already serious. It's best used as a transitional phrase to indicate a change in tone, not as a general intensifier.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a serious note" functions primarily as a transitional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its purpose is to signal a shift in tone or topic. It serves to alert the audience that what follows will be more earnest or significant than what preceded it.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

⚠ Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on a serious note" is a transitional phrase used to shift a conversation or written piece from a lighter tone to a more serious one. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically correct and very common, it's best used when a clear change in tone is intended, and avoided when the entire context is already serious. Alternatives like "in all seriousness" or "more seriously speaking" may offer nuanced replacements. Remember to signal to your audience that you are shifting towards more important themes.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In all seriousness

This alternative directly emphasizes the sincere intention of the speaker.

More seriously speaking

This option maintains a similar structure while highlighting the act of speaking seriously.

Turning to a more serious matter

This explicitly indicates a change in topic towards something more important.

On a more somber note

This alternative emphasizes a shift towards a grave or melancholic tone.

To be serious for a moment

This phrase directly asks for a brief shift to seriousness.

Let's get serious

This is a more direct and slightly informal way to indicate a shift to a serious topic.

More alternative expressions(3)

on a weighty note

on a serous note

on a difficult note

FAQs

How can I use "on a serious note" in a sentence?

You can use "on a serious note" to introduce a more earnest or important point after a lighter discussion. For example, "We've been joking about the project's delays, but "on a serious note", we need to address the root causes to avoid future issues."

What are some alternatives to "on a serious note"?

Alternatives include "in all seriousness", "more seriously speaking", or "turning to a more serious matter". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to use "on a serious note" if the topic is already serious?

Yes, using "on a serious note" in an already serious context can be redundant. The phrase is most effective when it signals a shift in tone from light to serious. If the entire discussion is serious, consider using a different transition phrase or simply stating the point directly.

What's the difference between "on a serious note" and "seriously"?

"Seriously" can be used as an adverb to emphasize the truth or importance of a statement. "On a serious note" is a phrase used to introduce a more serious topic or perspective. For example, "I'm "seriously" concerned about the budget cuts," versus "We've had some laughs, but "on a serious note", the budget cuts will have a significant impact."

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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On a serious noteGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

On a serious note
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples