I only mention

USAGE SUMMARY

"I only mention" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are saying something briefly or in passing, as in the following example: "I only mention it because I think it's important for you to know."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I only mention this to say I'm pleased really".

The Guardian

I only mention that since I do not know how she determined well locations.

The New York Times

I only mention these things because they're the extremes of what can warp an Englishman.

The New York Times - Books

"I only mention 6, but I've actually written 10 books," Mr. Furst said.

The New York Times - Books

I only mention this because he's coming to our nets tonight.

The Guardian - Sport

I only mention my relationships when it's relevant to mental health, and when I've had permission.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

What was a little bit crazy about Anfield was that I only mentioned it once in a press conference earlier in the week then suddenly at half-time it was happening.

The Guardian - Sport

I had no particular reason to use that particular story, as I only mentioned it to illustrate that our community papers had not changed their mission or focus throughout the decades.

Los Angeles Times

Allow me to put my Goldman gossip hat back on very quickly, and recount another juicy tidbit from my Wall Street past that I only mentioned in passing in my previous piece.

Huffington Post

I will only mention the last one that they received.

Cornell University

I will only mention a few special instances.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I only mention" to signal that you are briefly introducing a topic, without intending to delve deeply into it. This sets the reader's expectations and prevents confusion about the scope of your discussion.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "I only mention", as this can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to introduce information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I only mention" functions as a discourse marker, specifically a way of signaling the introduction of a topic with limited elaboration. It indicates to the reader that the speaker or writer intends to touch on the subject briefly, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I only mention" serves as a discourse marker to indicate that a topic is being introduced briefly, without extensive elaboration. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to ensure it aligns with the intended scope of discussion to avoid misleading the reader. While generally versatile, overusing the phrase can lead to repetitive writing. Considering synonyms and varying sentence structures can enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I simply mention

Replaces 'only' with 'simply', emphasizing the straightforwardness of the mention.

I briefly note

Uses 'briefly note' instead of 'mention', highlighting the conciseness of the remark.

I just touch upon

Indicates a light and quick reference, suggesting the topic will not be deeply explored.

I'll add in passing

This phrase implies the information is supplemental and not central to the main point.

I'll state parenthetically

Highlights that the mention is a side note, similar to information in parentheses.

Let me just add

Signals an additional point that is relevant, although not the focus.

I'll just bring up

Suggests a quick introduction of a topic.

For the sake of completeness

Implies the mention is made to ensure thoroughness, even if it's not crucial.

By the way

Indicates a tangential connection to the main topic.

As an aside

Clearly marks the mention as a digression or side comment.

FAQs

How can I use "I only mention" in a sentence?

You can use "I only mention" to introduce a point briefly, signaling you won't elaborate extensively. For example, "I only mention this detail because it's relevant to our later discussion."

What can I say instead of "I only mention"?

You can use alternatives like "I simply mention", "I briefly note", or "I just touch upon" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I only mention" or "I am only mentioning"?

Both "I only mention" and "I am only mentioning" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "I only mention" is simpler and more direct. "I am only mentioning" adds a sense of ongoing action or emphasis.

What's the difference between "I only mention" and "I want to mention"?

"I only mention" indicates a brief, perhaps tangential, inclusion of information. "I want to mention" suggests a stronger desire or intent to bring something up, implying it might be more significant.