directly mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly mention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is explicitly referred to or stated without any ambiguity. Example: "In her speech, she directly mentioned the importance of climate change awareness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former Cuban leader did not directly mention the restored relations, though he made several critical references to the US.

The Guardian

Some of the Twitter posts in question do not directly mention the offense to which Mr. McAlpine was falsely linked.

The New York Times - Tech

Further Questions for Discussion: -Why do you think President Bush did not directly mention Iraq, Afghanistan, terrorism or September 11 in his inaugural address?

The New York Times

Adichie did not directly mention the incident in the speech, but she did characterise Nigerians as those who expect "pain" in life.

The Guardian - Books

Mrs. Clinton did not directly mention the accusation, but she spent a good part of her talk stressing the importance of racial and ethnic understanding.

The New York Times

Labour highlighted that the statement still does not directly mention Blairmore or deny that the Cameron family could still have some links to it.

The Guardian

He did not directly mention the meltdown of the mortgage market that set off the financial crisis or Bernard L. Madoff, the convicted Ponzi schemer.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney did not directly mention Mr. Santorum, but the Romney team and its allies were intently focused on him, trying to bury him in negative advertising.

The New York Times

It did not directly mention her opponent, Anthony Nunziato, a Republican, but urged constituents "to vote for a candidate that demonstrates Catholic values," Ms. Markey said.

The New York Times

In the video, Mr. Zawahri did not mention Bin Laden by name and did not directly mention his own new role.

The New York Times

In his speech, Mr. Hu did not directly mention the companies' biggest complaints about trade barriers, discrimination against imports and technology theft.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly mention" when you want to emphasize that something was explicitly stated, leaving no room for interpretation. It adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

While "directly mention" is generally acceptable, be mindful of using it excessively in highly formal writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "explicitly state" or "specifically cite" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly mention" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence structure. It indicates an explicit and unambiguous reference to someone or something. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to emphasize the clarity of the reference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly mention" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something has been explicitly and unambiguously stated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts, including news media and scientific publications. While there are stylistic alternatives like "explicitly state" or "specifically refer to", "directly mention" provides a clear and concise way to convey that something was explicitly referenced, as can be seen from the many examples provided by Ludwig. Be aware of the context, to avoid overuse of "directly mention" in certain formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explicitly state

Emphasizes clarity and directness in the statement.

Specifically refer to

Highlights the act of pointing out a particular item or detail.

Clearly indicate

Focuses on the unambiguous nature of the communication.

Expressly mention

Similar to explicitly state, but with a slightly more formal tone.

Overtly acknowledge

Suggests an open and unconcealed recognition of something.

Address head-on

Implies confronting or dealing with a topic in a direct manner.

Make explicit reference to

Highlights the act of making a clear and unambiguous connection.

Cite specifically

Focuses on providing a precise reference or example.

Acknowledge openly

Suggests a public and transparent admission.

Bring up explicitly

Emphasizes introducing a topic for discussion in a clear way.

FAQs

What does "directly mention" mean?

The phrase "directly mention" means to explicitly refer to something or someone without ambiguity or implication. It means to state something clearly and overtly.

What can I say instead of "directly mention"?

You can use alternatives like "explicitly state", "specifically refer to", or "clearly indicate", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "directly mention" or "indirectly imply" something?

Whether to "directly mention" or "indirectly imply" depends on your purpose. If clarity is paramount, "directly mention" is better. If you want to suggest something subtly, "indirectly imply" may be more appropriate.

How do I use "directly mention" in a sentence?

You can use "directly mention" as follows: "The report didn't "directly mention" the CEO's involvement, but it heavily implied it."