lightly touched upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lightly touched upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a topic or subject that has been briefly mentioned or discussed without going into detail. Example: "In the meeting, the issue of budget constraints was lightly touched upon, but no further discussion was held."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Subjects only lightly touched upon in the stream-of-consciousness tale of passion and pain are the death of Father Browne and her current relationship with Sandy Feddema.

The New York Times

Certainly, the topic of racism in Paris is only very lightly touched upon, in the form of an uptight and bigoted bakery owner, played by Karin Viard.

The Guardian - Film

The parallel with today's great conmen - Maxwell, Archer - is lightly touched upon, although the implication that Balfour's headline-grabbing fall is evidence that the 1880s were the first media age wants watching.

The Guardian - Books

The personal journey doesn't really go anywhere; the issues of food addiction and body-image pressure are only lightly touched upon; and I'm not sure that a hug from Gok is really a long-term solution for these kids.

The Guardian

Real Hollywood horrors like a washed-up Bela Lugosi cruising Beverly Hills funeral homes for a fix of paraldehyde with the no-budget director Ed Wood Jr. are lightly touched upon.

The New York Times - Books

To most of these and to several related questions, the most contradictory answers have been given,4 which cannot here be more than lightly touched upon.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She lightly touched his hand.

The New Yorker

Upon the 10th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, he wrote a Times article that lightly touched on his unit's deception without divulging too many details.

Princeton University

She lightly touched the bandage on her neck.

The New York Times - Magazine

He leaned forward and lightly touched my arm, to signal me to give him another minute.

The New Yorker

Ms. Schneider sets the words to sultry music lightly touched with jazz in the style of Gil Evans.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lightly touched upon" when you want to indicate that a topic was introduced but not explored in depth. It's suitable when providing an overview or setting the stage for future discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "lightly touched upon" excessively in formal academic or scientific writing where thoroughness and depth are expected. Opt for more precise language that reflects the level of analysis provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lightly touched upon" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the extent to which a subject or topic has been addressed. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lightly touched upon" signifies that a subject has been mentioned or discussed briefly, without a thorough exploration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly frequent, its presence in news articles, academic papers, and even wikis suggests versatility. For alternatives, consider "briefly discussed" or "mentioned in passing" to indicate a lack of depth. Remember to adjust your language based on the context—thorough analyses demand precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly discussed

Refers to a short discussion without deep analysis.

mentioned in passing

Implies a casual and quick reference to a topic.

superficially addressed

Indicates a lack of thoroughness in dealing with the subject.

cursorily examined

Suggests a hasty and not very detailed inspection.

glanced at

Conveys the idea of a very quick and fleeting look.

briefly alluded to

Means to hint at something without explicitly stating it.

tangentially covered

Implies that the topic was only related to the main subject.

addressed in brief

Indicates a short and concise handling of the subject.

partially discussed

Means a discussion of only a part of the subject.

considered in passing

A quick consideration, not a deep dive.

FAQs

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

You can use "lightly touched upon" to indicate that a topic was mentioned briefly without extensive discussion. For example, "The report "lightly touched upon" the issue of climate change, but did not delve into specific mitigation strategies."

What are some alternatives to "lightly touched upon"?

Some alternatives include "briefly discussed", "mentioned in passing", or "superficially addressed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "lightly touched upon" formal or informal?

"Lightly touched upon" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, more precise language might be preferred.

What does "lightly touched upon" imply about the level of detail?

"Lightly touched upon" implies that the topic was only given a superficial treatment, without a deep or comprehensive analysis. It suggests that the discussion was brief and introductory.