be touched on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be touched on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a particular topic or subject will be briefly mentioned or addressed. Example: "In the meeting, several important issues will be touched on, including budget constraints and project timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The history of spinning technology will be touched on below in the section Production of yarn: Spinning and that of weaving technology in the section Production of fabric.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although that priority of interest will be observed in this discussion, the other kinds of knowledge will be touched on in appropriate contexts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This thought will be touched on in Grayson Perry's BBC Reith lectures, broadcast from next Tuesday, which promise to be an eye-opener to those unversed in the curious economics and ethnography of the art world.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The exception to the exceptional will be touched on later).Shinjuku station alone disgorges 900,000 passengers each morning, sucking them in again in the evening, some of the men (and they are mostly men) by now inebriated, before dumping them in their distant bedroom towns.

The Economist

The potential effects of the other employment incentives on my analysis will be touched on later, in Section 5 while discussing the estimation results.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

If priors chosen at least partially on the basis of that environment can underpin further judgments regarding a subject's rationality which is obviously contentious but will be touched on in the next section then there will be an important sense in which what is rational for that subject will depend constitutively on a historically sensitive parameter.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Money laundering is touched on but not explored.

The Guardian - Books

Much of this is touched on in The  Bedside Guardian.

The Guardian - Books

These difficulties are part of the migrant story and are touched on in the film.

The New York Times - Arts

Even the tenor of the texts is touched on in the contract.

The New York Times

All are touched on, but barely; this is a sanitized view of a harsh reality.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be touched on" when you want to indicate that a topic will be mentioned but not extensively discussed. It's suitable for overviews or introductions where depth isn't the primary goal.

Common error

Avoid using "be touched on" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. It can make your text sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "be briefly mentioned" or "be alluded to" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be touched on" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject will receive brief attention. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts, signifying that something will be mentioned but not extensively explored. The expression serves to manage expectations about the depth of coverage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be touched on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a topic will be briefly mentioned or addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "be briefly mentioned" to maintain stylistic variation. Remember, using "be touched on" effectively involves signalling a topic's inclusion without promising an in-depth analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be briefly mentioned

This alternative replaces the figurative "touched on" with a more direct synonym for mentioning something quickly.

be alluded to

This alternative means to refer to something indirectly or vaguely, sharing the nuance of not going into detail.

be addressed in passing

This alternative means a topic will be mentioned casually or incidentally.

be referred to

This is a more formal and direct way of saying something will be mentioned.

receive a brief mention

This is a noun-based alternative that emphasizes the brevity of the mention.

be considered briefly

This suggests a short evaluation or examination will occur.

be examined superficially

This phrase implies a lack of deep investigation.

be skimmed over

This suggests a very quick and potentially incomplete treatment of the topic.

be grazed upon

This phrase evokes the imagery of a light or superficial contact with the subject matter.

be glanced at

This indicates that the topic will only be given a quick, cursory look.

FAQs

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

You can use "be touched on" to indicate a brief mention of a topic. For example: "Several key issues will be touched on during the presentation."

What does "be touched on" mean?

The phrase "be touched on" means that a topic will be briefly mentioned or addressed, but not explored in great detail.

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

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

Is it appropriate to use "be touched on" in formal writing?

Yes, "be touched on" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although more direct alternatives like "be briefly mentioned" may sometimes be preferred for clarity.