he touched upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he touched upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone briefly mentioned or addressed a particular topic or subject. Example: "During the lecture, he touched upon the importance of climate change and its impact on global policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

With the groundwork laid, he touched upon some of the recent issues arising from the new law.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Bloomberg also gave more detail yesterday about citywide school safety measures that he touched upon in December.

The New York Times

Furthermore, he touched upon dynasties never before dealt with by Islāmic historiographers, such as the Babylonians, the Seleucids, and the Assyrians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Coughlin said his speech was between the players and him, but said he touched upon what he expected before the Giants arrived at training camp.

The New York Times - Sports

But more than professional success, he demanded his due, to be acknowledged as a seer, not just about the black family, but about every topic he touched upon.

The New York Times - Magazine

James Naughtie celebrated it in a wonderful Radio 4 broadcast last night in which he touched upon the fact that the exact wording remains a matter of dispute.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He touches upon several problems.

The New Yorker

He touches upon the epidemic levels of prescription opiate addiction.

The Guardian - Film

(Only once, when he describes the fear of shedding his accent and "letting go of what you thought was you," does he touch upon the less chipper aspects of an actor's life).

The New York Times

He touches upon points as varied as the legacy of Confucian thought, Korea's colonization by Japan, the painful division of the country at the end of World War II and the North's invasion of South Korea in 1950.

The New York Times - Books

His eagerness to win is fuelled by the chance to make history, something he touches upon throughout our conversation, "It's the Champions League, this is not a Mickey Mouse cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he touched upon" to indicate that a subject was raised but not extensively discussed. This is particularly useful in summaries or overviews where detail is not necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "he touched upon" repeatedly in very formal or academic writing; consider more precise alternatives like "he addressed briefly" or "he referred to" for variety and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he touched upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone briefly mentioned or addressed a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express a passing reference. The examples show usage in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he touched upon" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a brief mention or discussion of a topic. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's deemed correct and usable. It sees frequent use in news and media, as well as academic contexts, for succinctly conveying that a subject was raised without delving into extensive details. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be suitable for highly academic writing. To avoid repetitive usage, consider alternatives such as "he mentioned briefly" or "he alluded to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he mentioned briefly

More direct and less formal than "he touched upon".

he alluded to

Suggests an indirect or subtle reference.

he referred to

Implies a more explicit, but still brief, mention.

he spoke briefly about

More descriptive, indicating a short discussion.

he addressed briefly

Suggests a formal and concise treatment of a topic.

he commented on

Indicates expressing an opinion or reaction.

he grazed the subject of

Suggests a very light and almost incidental treatment.

he dealt with cursorily

More formal and implies a lack of thoroughness.

he made a passing reference to

Emphasizes the brevity and casualness of the mention.

he adverted to

Formal and somewhat archaic, suggesting a brief turning of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "he touched upon" in a sentence?

Use "he touched upon" to indicate that someone briefly mentioned or discussed a topic. For example, "In his speech, he touched upon the issue of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "he touched upon"?

Alternatives include "he mentioned briefly", "he alluded to", or "he referred to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "he touched upon" formal or informal?

"He touched upon" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While acceptable in many contexts, more precise language may be preferable in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "he touched upon" and "he elaborated on"?

"He touched upon" indicates a brief mention, while "he elaborated on" implies a more detailed and extensive discussion. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of depth of coverage.