lectured on

USAGE SUMMARY

"lectured on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone delivering a speech or presentation about a particular subject. Example sentence: The professor lectured on the history of the Roman Empire.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So beware, even things not lectured on may appear on the test.

WikiHow

For example, one professor spoke about psychopathology and another lectured on text comprehension.

British Journal of Educational Psychology

She also lectured on Beckett.

The New York Times - Arts

He lectured on the poet Sylvia Plath.

The New York Times - Sports

Foley lectured on American literature and his captivity in Libya.

The New Yorker

She lectured on the spectator and the female nude.

The New Yorker

As he walked, he lectured on fossils with measured cadence.

The Guardian

He has previously lectured on political science at Monash University.

The Guardian

She frequently lectured on book design at publishers' seminars.

The New York Times - Arts

He also lectured on the relationships between neuroscience and music.

The New York Times

The journal Foreign Policy immediately lectured on what should be obvious errors of context.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone who simply spoke about a topic in a less formal setting, consider alternatives such as "spoke about" or "discussed".

Common error

Avoid using "lectured on" in casual conversations or informal writing where a simple discussion or explanation took place. Using a more appropriate alternative, such as "talked about" or "explained", will maintain the right tone and prevent the writing from sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lectured on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of delivering a formal presentation or speech on a particular subject. It implies a position of authority or expertise, as highlighted in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lectured on" is a frequently used verb phrase denoting the act of delivering a formal presentation or speech about a specific subject. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds common application across diverse fields, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, its use should align with the context to avoid any unintended implication of pretension in casual scenarios. Ludwig examples show that the phrase is most frequently used in the News & Media. Remember to consider related phrases if "lectured on" does not precisely fit your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave a lecture on

Replaces the verb "lectured" with the more descriptive phrase "gave a lecture", emphasizing the act of delivering a formal presentation.

presented on

Similar to "gave a lecture", but emphasizes the act of showcasing or explaining something.

spoke about

Offers a more general alternative, suitable when the context doesn't require the formality of a lecture.

taught about

Highlights the educational aspect, suggesting a more instructional or pedagogical approach.

addressed the topic of

A formal alternative that emphasizes the speaker's engagement with a specific subject matter.

delivered a discourse on

A more formal and often literary alternative to "lectured on".

expounded on

Indicates a detailed and thorough explanation of a subject.

elaborated on

Implies expanding on a topic with further details and explanations.

discussed at length

Focuses on the depth and duration of the conversation or presentation.

commented on

A less formal way of saying someone spoke about a topic, often implying a brief remark or opinion.

FAQs

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

The phrase "lectured on" is used to describe someone giving a formal talk or presentation about a specific subject. For example, "The professor "lectured on" the history of the Roman Empire".

What are some alternatives to "lectured on"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "gave a lecture on", "spoke about", or "presented on" as alternatives to "lectured on".

Is it correct to say "lectured about" instead of "lectured on"?

While "lectured about" might be understood, "lectured on" is the more standard and grammatically preferred construction. It's best to stick with "lectured on" for formal writing and speech.

What's the difference between "lectured on" and "taught about"?

"Lectured on" typically refers to a formal presentation or speech, while "taught about" implies a more instructional or pedagogical approach. Someone might "lectured on" a topic to a large audience, whereas they might "taught about" a topic in a smaller classroom setting.