touch on a subject

USAGE SUMMARY

"touch on a subject" is a correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It means to "discuss or mention something briefly or in general terms". You can use it in almost any written context, such as an essay or an email. For example, you could say, "In my essay I will touch on the subject of gender roles in contemporary society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

but before I do, let me touch on a subject people always ask about..

The Washington Post

"A picture does a better job showing my thoughts than words do; it can have a light touch on a subject that's extremely scary".

The New Yorker

If you want me to sound bearish, I'll touch on a subject that I am actually surprised nobody discussed: the Fed.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Each week, Freddy likes to touch on a serious subject, and bootlegging has been one of his favorites.

The New Yorker

The president touched on a cornucopia of subjects during his speech, from putting an astronaut on Mars to net neutrality, but any mention of the Department of Veterans Affairs was notably absent.

Vice

But there is one paragraph that touches on a subject close to the heart of most academic researchers: federal spending on basic research.

Science Magazine

Despite the rebuttal, McGurk touches on a subject that is exercising publishers all the time.

The Guardian

Oliver Thring touched on a subject close to my heart (and stomach): wine and food matching (Unpalatable truth?, 4 February).

The Guardian - Opinion

My Relativitätstheorie had understandably not impressed him, but I felt I'd at least touched on a subject that penetrated his shy pride.

The New Yorker

Felix Salmon's post on the rose-colored glasses being worn by Barack Obama and Ben Bernanke also touches on a subject I wrote about yesterday: namely, the connection between what people (particularly policymakers) say about the economy and what happens in the economy.

The New Yorker

Before we discuss the prospects for today's game, it is worth touching on a subject with a little more certainty attached to it: namely, the scramble for the full-time England head coach-manager role.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch on a subject" when you want to introduce a topic without going into extensive detail. It's useful for overviews, introductions, or when time/space is limited.

Common error

Avoid using "touch on a subject" repeatedly without giving the reader any sense of what aspects of the subject you're actually addressing. Briefly indicate the specific angle or point you'll be making to maintain clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch on a subject" functions as a verb phrase that introduces the act of briefly mentioning or discussing a topic. It indicates a superficial examination rather than an in-depth analysis. As seen in Ludwig, it frequently precedes the actual subject matter being introduced.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch on a subject" is a phrase used to indicate a brief or superficial mention of a topic, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While not exceedingly common, it serves the purpose of acknowledging a topic without delving deeply into it. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established in written English, offering writers a concise way to introduce subjects without committing to extensive discussion. Related phrases include "address a topic" and "mention a subject", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover a subject briefly

Explicitly states the limited scope of the discussion.

mention a subject

This is a simpler alternative, implying a brief reference without necessarily delving into details.

refer to a subject

Indicates a more formal and direct connection to the subject, though still potentially brief.

discuss a subject briefly

States explicitly a discussion of a brief manner about certain matter.

address a topic

Focus shifts to directly dealing with the topic, suggesting a more intentional engagement than merely touching upon it.

examine a subject lightly

The examination will be not too specific.

raise a subject

Similar to broach, but can also mean simply bringing it up for discussion.

allude to a subject

This implies an indirect reference, often hinting at the topic without explicitly stating it.

glance at a subject

Suggests an even quicker and more superficial examination of the topic.

broach a subject

Focuses on the act of introducing the subject, often implying it might be sensitive or difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "touch on a subject" in a sentence?

You can use "touch on a subject" when you want to briefly mention something without delving into details. For example, "The presentation will "touch on a subject", but won't go into depth".

What's a good alternative to "touch on a subject"?

Alternatives include "address a topic", "mention a subject", or "cover a subject briefly", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "touch on a subject" in formal writing?

Yes, "touch on a subject" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to acknowledge a topic without dedicating significant time to it. However, consider alternatives like "address a topic" for a more direct tone.

What does "touch on a subject" imply about the depth of discussion?

"Touch on a subject" suggests that the discussion will be brief, superficial, and not exhaustive. It signals to the audience that the topic is being introduced rather than thoroughly analyzed.