comment on what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comment on what" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to ask someone to provide their thoughts or opinions on a specific topic or issue. For example, "Please comment on what you think about the new policy." Alternative expressions include "provide feedback on" and "discuss what."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I won't comment on what Suarez did.

Independent

Mr. Catalfamo declined to comment on what the men discussed.

The New York Times

"I'm not going to comment on what his history is.

Independent

I can't comment on what the mayor says".

The New York Times

I cannot make any comment on what happened.

The New York Times

(TMZ would not comment on what it pays for footage).

The New York Times

Do you have any comment on what he said?

The Guardian - Sport

It declined to comment on what had been said.

The Guardian - Business

The company declined to comment on what offers were made.

The Guardian

He would not comment on what was said.

The New York Times - Sports

He declined to comment on what his investigators had learned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with negative verbs like "decline to" or "refuse to" in journalistic writing to indicate a lack of transparency or official silence.

Common error

A frequent mistake is omitting the preposition "on" and saying "comment what". In English, the verb "comment" is intransitive when used this way and requires "on" or "about" to link to the object of the remark.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comment on what" functions as a transitive-like verb construction where the preposition "on" bridges the verb to a relative clause starting with "what". In Ludwig AI examples, it typically introduces a noun clause that acts as the object of the commentary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comment on what" is a robust and essential component of modern English, primarily used to direct focus toward a specific topic of discussion. As shown in Ludwig AI, it is the standard way to frame reactions in journalism and research. Its grammatical structure is stable, though it strictly requires the preposition "on" to remain correct. Whether used to decline an interview or to request student feedback, it provides a clear, functional link between the act of commenting and the specific information being judged. Using alternatives like "remark on what" can provide variety, but the main query remains the most versatile choice for neutral reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discuss what

suggests a more detailed or two-way conversation rather than a single remark

provide feedback on what

shifts the tone to a more constructive or evaluative business context

remark on what

slightly more formal and often implies a briefer observation

share thoughts on what

adds a personal and slightly more informal or collaborative tone

elaborate on what

specifically requests more detail or expansion on a previous point

give input on what

emphasizes the contribution of ideas rather than just an opinion

address what

implies a more direct confrontation or handling of a specific issue

clarify what

focuses on making the information more understandable

speak about what

a broader expression that covers verbal communication in general

opine on what

significantly more formal and specifically denotes expressing a personal opinion

FAQs

How do I use "comment on what" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce an opinion or a refusal to give one, such as: "The spokesperson declined to "comment on what" happened during the closed-door meeting."

What is a more formal way to say "comment on what"?

In professional settings, you might prefer to use "provide feedback on what" or "elaborate on what" to sound more precise.

Is it correct to say "comment what"?

No, you should always include the preposition; use "comment on what" instead of omitting "on".

When should I use "comment on what" vs "discuss what"?

Use "comment on what" for a specific remark or reaction, whereas "discuss what" implies a longer or more interactive conversation.