only to mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only to mention" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a piece of information that is being added on to a larger topic or statement. Here is an example: "I have traveled to many countries, only to mention my recent trip to Italy." In this sentence, the phrase "only to mention" is used to indicate that the speaker has traveled to many countries, but is only mentioning their recent trip to Italy in that moment. It could also be used to introduce additional information that is related to the main topic, such as: "I have been to many concerts, only to mention my favorite band's performance at Coachella last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

A stand-up comedian has only to mention welfare, health and safety to guarantee a laugh.

The Guardian - Opinion

At "21," I had only to mention Lazar's name to be treated like royalty.

The New Yorker

Congress would hardly have used “any election” to mean “general election,” only to mention “general election” a few lines further on.

Cornell University

Within a few weeks, any standup comedian who wanted to milk an easy laugh from his audience had only to mention Josephine's name.

The Guardian - Books

ps2maddog New York I've enthused before about "Brief Encounter" and will repeat myself here only to mention that the ingenious, witty, inventive use of projections was no small part of why this production was such a delight.

The New York Times

One has only to mention the names of previous fashion houses that were the subjects of exhibitions and helped pay for them and influenced their content: Dior, Saint Laurent and Versace.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But you only have to mention John Edwards to dispel the party's gloom.

The Economist

The only reason to mention this third alternative is to demonstrate that there are really only two.

Huffington Post

She wasn't the only person to mention Renaissance.

The New Yorker

Perhaps he only wanted to mention bipartisan bills.

The New York Times

He was the only justice to mention her by name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to mention" to introduce a brief or parenthetical addition to your main point. This can help to keep your writing concise and focused.

Common error

Avoid using "only to mention" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Try varying your sentence structure by using alternatives like "just to mention" or "simply to mention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to mention" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces an additional piece of information or a specific example, often used parenthetically. Ludwig AI also confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only to mention" is a grammatically sound and commonly used infinitive phrase that serves to introduce additional information or examples in a concise manner. It is frequently found in science, news media, and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. To avoid repetitiveness, consider using alternatives such as "just to mention" or "simply to mention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply to mention

Replaces "only" with "simply", softening the emphasis on the limitation.

just to mention

Uses "just" instead of "only", conveying a more casual tone.

merely to mention

Substitutes "only" with "merely", implying a sense of insignificance or secondary importance.

if I may add

Introduces an additional point with a polite request for permission.

by the way

Indicates an incidental or tangential remark.

as an aside

Signals a digression or a comment that is separate from the main topic.

for example

Directly introduces an example to illustrate a point.

to illustrate

Highlights the intention of providing an example.

specifically

Narrows down to a particular detail or instance.

in particular

Emphasizes a specific aspect or example.

FAQs

How can I use "only to mention" in a sentence?

Use "only to mention" to introduce an additional piece of information that supports your main point, such as, "I've visited several European cities, "only to mention" Paris and Rome".

What are some alternatives to "only to mention"?

You can use phrases like "simply to mention", "just to mention", or "merely to mention" as alternatives to "only to mention".

Is "only to mention" formal or informal?

"Only to mention" falls in the neutral to slightly formal register, making it suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.

What's the difference between "only to mention" and "not to mention"?

"Only to mention" introduces a brief addition or example, while "not to mention" introduces something significant and often related to the main point.