mention to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mention to" is not a common English expression and is not typically used in writing.
If you are looking for a phrase that means "to tell", you could use "mention to" in spoken English, but it is not considered standard English and you may be better served by choosing a more commonly used expression, such as "tell", "inform", or "inform of". For example, you could replace "mention to" with "inform" in the sentence "I want to mention to my boss about my new project idea" to make it "I want to inform my boss about my new project idea".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Special mention to Jon Favreau and James Gunn).

The New York Times

Lastly, special mention to Jonathan Saunders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're the ones we mention to friends.

The New York Times - Books

"James did mention to avoid having negative thoughts," Polsky said.

The New Yorker

Honorable mention to both goalies in that marathon Game 6.

The New York Times

Not to mention, to things that are Gucci.

The New York Times

Other cancer patients and survivors mention to me similar experiences.

The New York Times - Science

Please do not mention to anybody that you received this letter.

The New Yorker

Special mention to the four teams that made Times APIs a crucial part of their hacks.

The New York Times

Certainly, it is a quality that many of the bands mention to me.

Independent

However, you gave only passing mention to (and overlooked the importance of) the Ecole Nationale d'Administration.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "mention to" in formal writing. Instead, use "mention" followed directly by the object. For example, change "mention to the manager" to "mention the manager".

Common error

The preposition "to" is often unnecessary after "mention". Using "mention to" can sound awkward or grammatically incorrect. Always check if the sentence works better without the "to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mention to" functions as a verb phrase intended to introduce a topic or refer to someone, but it often incorrectly includes the preposition 'to'. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that the 'to' is often unnecessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "mention to" appears frequently, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that it's not a standard English expression. It is recommended to avoid using "mention to", and instead use "mention" directly followed by the object. For more formal situations, consider alternatives such as "refer to" or "inform". While often used across various contexts, like news, science, and wiki content, sticking to grammatically sound alternatives enhances clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mention

This is the base verb without the unnecessary preposition.

refer to

Focuses on alluding to something rather than directly stating it.

bring up

Indicates introducing a topic in conversation.

talk about

A more general way to describe discussing something.

speak of

A more formal way to say "talk about".

allude to

Suggests an indirect reference.

make reference to

A more formal way to say "refer to".

draw attention to

Emphasizes highlighting something specifically.

touch on

Implies briefly mentioning something.

state

Directly declare something.

FAQs

Is "mention to" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "mention to" is often considered grammatically incorrect. It's generally better to use just "mention" without the "to". According to Ludwig AI, it's not a standard expression.

What's a more formal alternative to "mention to"?

For more formal contexts, instead of "mention to" consider using phrases like "refer to", "make reference to", or simply "mention".

How can I avoid using "mention to" in my writing?

Simply omit the "to". For example, instead of "I want to mention to my boss", say "I want to mention my boss". Another alternative is to use "tell" or "inform".

When is it acceptable to use "mention to"?

While not strictly correct, "mention to" might be acceptable in very informal speech. However, it's best to avoid it in any form of writing or professional communication.