mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to bring something up or to refer to something briefly. For example, "He briefly mentioned the company's new product during his speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When asked who was coming after Schott, Costa replied: "He did mention it was someone on the central coast and I dismissed it, to be honest".

The Guardian

The Tory manifesto said in vague terms that a Conservative government "would legislate to ensure trade unions use a transparent opt-in process for union subscriptions", but made no mention of the political levy.

The Guardian

In a broad-brush speech, which frequently touched on the topic of freedom and Berliners' resilience, he could not fail to mention the concern felt across Europe about more modern-day encroachments on individual liberty, the recent revelations of internet surveillance and US drone warfare – issues which dominated his 25-hour visit to the German capital.

The Guardian

"Even though we know it's all about temperament, how you deal with pressure, we do very little about it".There are plenty of theories – and scientific disagreements - as to the cause of depression, many of them too medical to mention here.

The Guardian - Sport

Obviously I had to tell them that whatever they told me I'd have to mention to another member of staff, but they were OK with that.

The Guardian

I suggest that sounds rather optimistic, and mention starting again from scratch with, for example, our passport system.

The Guardian

The way he deals with the inevitable rumours about his sexuality ("Who does it hurt if someone thinks I'm gay"?) is wonderfully beguiling, and that's before we've even started on his humanitarian work in Darfur and Haiti, not to mention his friendship with President Obama, recently in the news following Clooney's bust-up with Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn.

The Guardian - Opinion

Take those 327,452 tweets a minute (not to mention a parallel tsunami from Facebook and the rest).

The Guardian

"Don't mention the war," barked Basil Fawlty, but people still did.

The Guardian

Razmataz is one of only a few restaurants open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, not to mention morning coffee and after-dinner drinks.

The Guardian - Travel

He adds, 'I've pointed out to a few people that the constitution does not even mention the prime minister, let alone what house he serves in.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mention" to introduce a topic casually before diving into details, setting the stage for further discussion.

Common error

Avoid overusing "mention" without providing sufficient context. If you "mention" something, ensure the reader understands its relevance to the topic at hand. Always contextualize your statements so it doesn't seem like a random or confusing note.

Linguistic Context

The word "mention" primarily functions as a verb, used to briefly refer to something or bring it to someone's attention. Ludwig AI confirms the word's validity and usability in diverse English writing scenarios. Examples show it used for casual reference or formal documentation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Opinion

4%

Travel

2%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mention" is a versatile verb widely used to briefly refer to something or bring it up in conversation or writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, particularly in news, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While it's generally appropriate to "mention" something in a variety of settings, it's best practice to provide sufficient context for your audience. Alternatives like "refer to", "bring up", and "touch upon" can add nuance depending on your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Refer to

This alternative focuses on direct reference, maintaining a high degree of similarity.

Make reference to

This phrase is a more formal way to say "mention", indicating a more deliberate reference.

Bring up

This option is more casual, often used when introducing a topic in conversation.

Touch upon

Suggests briefly addressing a topic without going into detail.

Allude to

This implies hinting at something indirectly.

Cite

This means quoting or referring to a specific source or example.

Note

Implies a brief observation or recording of something.

Indicate

This suggests pointing something out without necessarily discussing it in depth.

Speak of

Refers to talking about something more generally.

Make a comment on

Implies making a specific observation or remark.

FAQs

How to use "mention" in a sentence?

You can use "mention" to briefly refer to something. For example, "He did "mention" it was someone on the central coast" or "The Tory manifesto said in vague terms that a Conservative government "would legislate to ensure trade unions use a transparent opt-in process for union subscriptions", but made no "mention" of the political levy".

What can I say instead of "mention"?

You can use alternatives like "refer to", "bring up", or "touch upon" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "mention" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "mention" when you want to briefly bring something to someone's attention without going into extensive detail. It's useful for introductions or side notes.

What's the difference between "mention" and "discuss"?

"Mention" implies a brief reference, while "discuss" suggests a more in-depth conversation or analysis of a topic. You "mention" something in passing, but you "discuss" it at length.