Cool MateBy the way vs Just so you know
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
By the way
Top 2,000 (common)B1
Just so you know
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: By the way
| By the way | Just so you know | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //baɪ ðə weɪ//🇺🇸 //baɪ ðə weɪ// | 🇬🇧 //dʒʌst səʊ jʊ nəʊ//🇺🇸 //dʒʌst soʊ jʊ noʊ// |
| Meaning | An expression used to add extra information. | A way to tell someone information casually. |
| Example | I enjoyed the movie. By the way, did you see the reviews? | Just so you know, the meeting has been moved to 3 PM. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | by the way, can I add, mention by the way, bring up by the way | just so you know, I wanted to tell you, just so you know, the time has changed, just so you know, it's not confirmed yet |
| Antonyms | directly, mainly, explicitly, primarily | - |
| Common mistakes | Omitting it in formal writing., Confusing it with 'in other words'., Using it at the beginning of a sentence. | Used in formal emails where a direct statement is needed., Confused with phrases like 'for your information' for more formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use when introducing an unrelated topic or adding a detail. Avoid in very formal contexts. | Use this phrase when you want to inform someone without being too formal. It works well in conversations among friends. |
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Frequently asked questions: By the way vs Just so you know
What's the difference between By the way and Just so you know?
By the way: An expression used to add extra information. Just so you know: A way to tell someone information casually.
Which is more formal: By the way and Just so you know?
By the way is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
By the way: I enjoyed the movie. By the way, did you see the reviews? Just so you know: Just so you know, the meeting has been moved to 3 PM.
Can I use By the way and Just so you know interchangeably?
Not always. By the way and Just so you know are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.