to touch on one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to touch on one" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to briefly mention or address a specific topic or issue, but it is not commonly used. Example: "In this meeting, I would like to touch on one important aspect of our project."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But he failed to touch on one point that seems relevant.

The New York Times - Books

The evening's discussion also gives the Scheibners a chance to touch on one of their favorite metaphors: the funnel.

The New York Times - Magazine

I follow many of them, mostly related to sentiment, but today I want to touch on one that's readily available to anyone: volume.

Forbes

When we talk about issues of consent when it comes to Persons with Disabilities though, we only seem to touch on one piece of that equation alone: The risk associated with being a vulnerable Person with a Disability.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

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Vice

The debate seemed to touch on every one of Chinatown's perennial problems: crime, pollution, crowding, and above all, economic desperation.

The New York Times

Aviv had time to only touch on one of the most destructive legacies of school reform, aligned and paced instruction enforced by under-the-gun administrators.

Huffington Post

"Nobody has the right to touch one hair on an Iraqi's head," she said.

The New York Times

I need to take a minute here and touch on one of the most impressive features HTC has baked into the One, and it may not be what you expected.

TechCrunch

It's also the only one to touch on genuinely controversial material.

The Guardian - Film

After the delay, the monkey was usually required to touch one of two flags on the screen.

Biology and Philosophy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to touch on one" when you intend to briefly address a single aspect or point within a broader topic. Ensure it's clear which specific element you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "to touch on one" too frequently in formal or academic writing, as it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "to address briefly" or "to mention". Overuse can make your writing seem repetitive and lacking in precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to touch on one" functions as an infinitive phrase used to introduce a brief discussion or mention of a specific item or point. It signals that the speaker or writer intends to address something concisely without going into extensive detail. According to Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable, although not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to touch on one" is an acceptable but relatively rare phrase used to indicate a brief mention or discussion of a specific item. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI analysis and real-world examples reveal that this expression is more suitable for neutral contexts such as news. For a more formal approach, alternatives like "to address briefly" or "to mention concisely" may be more appropriate. Although acceptable, writers should ensure clarity and consider more common alternatives to avoid potential awkwardness or redundancy. The sources of "to touch on one" are generally reputable, and there are no grammatical errors to consider.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to mention briefly

Focuses on the act of mentioning something in a concise manner.

to raise briefly

Emphasizes the act of bringing up a point without detailed discussion.

to address briefly

Highlights the act of addressing a topic in a short amount of time.

to refer to concisely

Stresses the brevity and directness of the reference.

to allude to

Implies an indirect reference, without going into detail.

to cover lightly

Suggests a non-intensive approach to the subject matter.

to glance at

Emphasizes a quick look or consideration of a subject.

to hint at

Implies a subtle and indirect indication of a topic.

to make a passing reference to

Highlights that the reference is not central to the main topic.

to skim over

Suggests a superficial treatment of a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "to touch on one" in a sentence?

You can use "to touch on one" when you want to mention something briefly. For example, "I'd like to "to touch on one" key aspect of the project before we proceed further".

What can I say instead of "to touch on one"?

You can use alternatives like "to mention briefly", "to allude to", or "to address briefly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to touch on one" or "to touch upon one"?

"To touch on one" and "to touch upon one" are both acceptable. However, "to touch on one" is more common and often sounds more natural in contemporary usage.

What's the difference between "to touch on one" and "to elaborate on one"?

"To touch on one" means to mention something briefly, while "to elaborate on one" means to provide more details and expand upon a specific point.