mention a subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mention a subject" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to refer to or bring up a specific topic in conversation or writing. Example: "In your essay, please mention a subject that interests you and explain why."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In many situations, ego is too likely to spoil the transaction, not to mention a subject's attempts to massage the text.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Admittedly, the format is fairly thankless for Harcourt, but simply mentioning a subject and saying "Tell us a little bit about that" doesn't yield results.

The Guardian - Music

English biography was then in its infancy, and though some of its more daring practitioners (including Johnson himself, in his "Lives of the Poets") had abandoned the convention of never mentioning a subject's flaws, no one had ever gone as far as Boswell, who was determined that "there should be shade as well as light".

The New York Times - Books

Another example might be this: If she mentions a subject or person early on in the conversation, mention that subject or person in an offhand way to let her know that you were listening.

WikiHow

My son has just finished his GCSE exams and if you dare mention a curriculum subject (Art in this case) he curls up in a foetal position, yet on Saturday night he was interested, curious, opinionated and articulate.

The Guardian - Arts

Are they supposed to earn a profit for shareholders?The third paper my colleague mentions discusses a subject I don't know anything about.

The Economist

Until not too long before Google, it had been common for search or directory websites to boast about how much of the web's information they had indexed – the relic of a brief period, hilarious in hindsight, when a user might genuinely have hoped to check all the webpages that mentioned a given subject.

The Guardian - Tech

However, neither statement set a date for opening the talks or mentioned agriculture as a subject to be included.

The New York Times

But I never broke faith with the idea of doing something, and in 2011, when producer Simon Chinn (Man on Wire, Searching for Sugar Man) came to me with the idea of making a 90-minute feature, and mentioned Scientology as a subject, I began thinking seriously about how a non-access-based documentary might work.

The Guardian

Clinton's record on each of the issues that the general reportedly mentioned has been a subject of controversy.

Los Angeles Times

This summer's great education debate has seen frequent mention of media studies – a subject that is now a byword for dumbing down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mention a subject" when you want to introduce a topic without necessarily delving into great detail. It's suitable for brief references or initial introductions of a theme.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid relying too heavily on "mention a subject" in formal contexts. Opt for stronger verbs like "address", "discuss", or "analyze" to convey a more substantive engagement with the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mention a subject" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to indicate the act of briefly referring to or bringing up a topic. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mention a subject" is a grammatically correct and functional verb phrase used to briefly refer to a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While "mention a subject" is appropriate for introducing topics without extensive detail, it's important to consider stronger verbs for more formal or substantive engagement. Usage is common in news media, wikis, and academic contexts, offering a versatile way to introduce themes across diverse writing styles. When considering similar phrases, "bring up a topic", "touch on a matter", and "refer to a theme" provide useful alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring up a topic

Focuses on initiating a discussion about something.

introduce a subject

Focuses on formally presenting a topic for consideration.

touch on a matter

Suggests briefly discussing something.

refer to a theme

Implies making an allusion or connection to a specific theme.

discuss a theme

Highlights a detailed conversation about something

address a subject

Suggests dealing with a topic directly.

allude to a subject

Indicates hinting at something without explicitly stating it.

speak of a matter

Implies talking about something in a general sense.

raise an issue

Highlights the act of introducing a problem or concern.

broach a topic

Suggests carefully introducing a potentially sensitive subject.

FAQs

How can I use "mention a subject" in a sentence?

You can use "mention a subject" when you want to refer to or bring up a specific topic in conversation or writing. For example: "The article will mention a subject that is often overlooked."

What are some alternatives to "mention a subject"?

You can use alternatives such as "bring up a topic", "touch on a matter", or "refer to a theme" depending on the context.

Is it better to "mention a subject" or "address a subject"?

"Mention a subject" implies a brief reference, while "address a subject" suggests dealing with it more directly. The best choice depends on the depth of engagement you want to convey.

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

"Mention a subject" is a brief reference, while "discuss a subject" implies a more detailed conversation or analysis. Consider your intent to choose the most appropriate phrase.