I touched on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I touched on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that you briefly mentioned or addressed a topic without going into detail. Example: "In my presentation, I touched on the importance of sustainability in business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I wrote about Hurricane Harvey last week, one thing I touched on was the hashtag "#HarveyLootCrew"—a flavor of internet hoax originally conceived of by some shitposters at 4chan.

Vice

This is a deeply emotive and intellectually engaging game, but it's one of those cult hits I touched on earlier.

Vice

"It's like I touched on something nostalgic".

The New York Times

As I touched on above, corporate law firms want people capable of fitting into their culture.

The Guardian

I touched on as many of her travels and experiences as I could recall.

The New York Times

Some of this I touched on in a previous article called "The Checklist".

The New Yorker

That aside, Ms. Moss's reference to how close the idea of spiritual transcendence is to her personally raises another issue that I touched on earlier.

The New York Times - Arts

That's the only time you know what's going in the food, something I touched on in my essay "Cooking Solves Everything".

The New York Times

This prompted me to check in on an issue I touched on in 2009, during a visit to the University of Victoria on Canada's Vancouver Island.

The New York Times

Hopefully, this is the year, not only for a sustained rhetorical focus, but a suite of initiatives (some of which I touched on a few days ago).

The New York Times

And this fatalism is born out of the relation between fertility and death, which I touched on in my last letter — life feeds on itself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "I touched on". In more formal settings, a phrase like "I briefly discussed" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying on "I touched on" as a crutch to gloss over important details. Ensure you provide enough context for readers to understand the key points, even if you're not going in-depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I touched on" functions as a transitive verb phrase indicating a speaker's prior, brief engagement with a topic. As Ludwig indicates, it signals a mention without deep exploration. The subject, "I", performs the action of briefly addressing or referring to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I touched on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signals a speaker's brief engagement with a particular topic. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across various contexts, but especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "I briefly discussed" in professional settings. Remember to provide sufficient context even when using this phrase to ensure clarity. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights the phrase's function as a context-setter, acknowledging prior mentions and paving the way for related details or transitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I mentioned

Focuses on the act of bringing something up, without necessarily implying depth.

I briefly discussed

Emphasizes the limited amount of time spent on the topic.

I alluded to

Suggests a more indirect or subtle reference.

I referred to

Indicates a direct reference, but not necessarily a detailed discussion.

I dealt with briefly

Emphasizes the limited scope and depth of the discussion.

I addressed

Suggests dealing with something directly, even if briefly.

I commented on

Highlights the expression of an opinion or reaction.

I skimmed over

Suggests a rapid and superficial coverage of the subject matter.

I spoke about

Indicates a verbal discussion of the subject.

I grazed upon

Implies a very light and superficial treatment of the topic.

FAQs

What does "I touched on" mean?

The phrase "I touched on" means that you briefly mentioned or discussed a topic without going into great detail. It implies a superficial treatment of the subject.

How can I use "I touched on" in a sentence?

You can use "I touched on" to introduce a topic you've mentioned but haven't fully explored. For example, "I touched on the company's new marketing strategy during the meeting".

What can I say instead of "I touched on"?

You can use alternatives like "I mentioned", "I briefly discussed", or "I alluded to" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to start a sentence with "I touched on"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable to start a sentence with "I touched on". However, ensure the sentence flows naturally and clearly introduces the topic you are referring to.