incidental to + noun
Showing something secondary or connected
Use incidental to for something that happens as a minor part or consequence of something else.
The damage was incidental to the storm.
Incidental with prepositions
The adjective incidental is most commonly followed by to when describing something secondary or connected to something else.
Quick answer
Which preposition follows incidental?
The standard combination is incidental to. Other prepositions such as in, as, for, or on usually belong to a different structure in the sentence rather than forming a fixed adjective pattern.
Travel expenses are incidental to the project.
The delays were incidental to the merger.
Noise reduction was incidental to the main redesign.
The delays were incidental to the merger.
Noise reduction was incidental to the main redesign.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
incidental to + activity
Referring to normal consequences
This pattern often appears in legal, business, and formal writing.
Certain risks are incidental to international travel.
incidental in + noun phrase
Using in as a separate place or context adjunct
In can follow incidental when it introduces a separate phrase of context, not a fixed adjective pattern.
The error was incidental in the early draft.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
incidental to
Minor costs are incidental to construction work.
Standard pattern meaning secondary or naturally connected.
incidental in
Several changes were incidental in the planning stage.
In introduces a context or stage, not a fixed adjective-preposition combination.
incidental as
The publicity was incidental as a result of the campaign.
As usually introduces a role or comparison rather than forming a standard pattern with incidental.
incidental for
Extra paperwork was incidental for overseas applicants.
For may introduce the affected group, but incidental for is not the standard adjective pattern.
incidental on
The fee is incidental on local regulations.
This combination is not standard in current English. Use incidental to instead.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using on after incidental
Incidental on is not a standard modern combination.
✕ The costs are incidental on the agreement. ✓ The costs are incidental to the agreement.Confusing incidental to with about
Incidental to means secondary or connected, not approximately.
✕ The repairs were incidental about the renovation. ✓ The repairs were incidental to the renovation.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. Extra charges are incidental ___ international shipping.
2. Choose the standard phrase.
3. In the sentence 'The issue was incidental in the discussion,' what does in do?
Check your sentence in context
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Free to try · No signup required
Frequently asked questions
Is incidental to formal?
Yes. It is especially common in legal, academic, and business English.
Can I say incidental on?
No. Incidental on is not standard in current English.
What does incidental to mean?
It means secondary to something else or naturally connected with it.
Related preposition guides
Write with confidence in Linguix
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
