someone mentioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone mentioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that was said or brought up by an unspecified person in conversation or text. Example: "During the meeting, someone mentioned the need for a new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Someone mentioned Descartes.

The New Yorker

Someone mentioned the Borat.

The New Yorker

Someone mentioned a volunteers' strike.

The New York Times

Someone mentioned Mike Smith as being vulnerable.

The New York Times

Someone mentioned the cavaliers the other day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Someone mentioned the Lowline, and he nodded.

The New Yorker

"Someone mentioned, Maybe we should do a doughnut.

The New Yorker

Whenever someone mentioned Bush's name, boos rang out.

The New Yorker

"Black ladies say 'Uuuuh!' " Someone mentioned James Brown.

The New York Times

Later someone mentioned that he was a musician.

The New York Times

Someone mentioned hepatitis and I thought, why not?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "someone mentioned", ensure the context clearly indicates the relevance of the mentioned item to the overall discussion.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using "someone mentioned". Instead of saying "It was mentioned by someone", opt for the more direct "Someone mentioned it" to enhance clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone mentioned" functions as an introductory phrase to report information or an idea that was brought up by an unspecified individual. It serves to introduce details without assigning direct credit, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "someone mentioned" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce information from an unspecified source. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is primarily to relay information while keeping the origin vague. It's frequently used in neutral contexts such as news and media, as evidenced by its prevalence in sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker. While alternatives like "someone brought up" or "someone noted" exist, the choice depends on the specific context. When using the phrase, it’s important to avoid overuse of the passive voice to maintain clarity. Overall, "someone mentioned" serves as a versatile tool for reporting information without emphasizing its origin.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person mentioned

A more formal and slightly less common variant of "someone mentioned".

someone brought up

Focuses on the act of introducing a topic or subject into a conversation.

someone remarked

Implies a brief comment or statement made by an individual.

someone pointed out

Highlights the act of drawing attention to a specific detail or fact.

someone stated

Suggests a more formal declaration or assertion.

somebody noted

Emphasizes the act of making a formal observation or recording something.

someone observed

Highlights the act of noticing and commenting on something.

someone indicated

Implies a subtle or indirect communication of information.

someone suggested

Focuses on proposing an idea or course of action.

someone alluded to

Indicates making an indirect reference to something.

FAQs

How can I use "someone mentioned" in a sentence?

Use "someone mentioned" to introduce a point or detail that was brought up by an unspecified person, like: "During the meeting, "someone mentioned" the budget constraints".

What are some alternatives to "someone mentioned"?

Alternatives include: "someone brought up", "someone pointed out", or "someone noted". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "someone mentioned"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "someone mentioned", especially when emphasizing that the information came from an unspecified source.

What's the difference between "someone mentioned" and "it was mentioned"?

"Someone mentioned" is more direct and indicates a person brought up the information. "It was mentioned" is more passive and doesn't specify who mentioned it, but it's grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI suggests.