touch the topic

USAGE SUMMARY

"touch the topic" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something will be briefly discussed or mentioned in a conversation or article. For example, "This article will only touch the topic of global warming, focusing instead on the effects of climate change on small island nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

When they did get together there, he said, no one dared touch the topic that was on everyone's mind.

The New York Times

"Nobody in Hollywood would touch the topic with a 10-foot pole," she says of her new film.

The New York Times

"Nobody likes to touch the topic of fare hikes," said one city official who monitors the transit budget.

The New York Times

In addition to this, the supplementary Python code is available to the reader so that one can touch the topic also by means of implemented algorithms.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

At the port, a few officials were willing to be interviewed, under the condition that we not touch the topic of organized crime.

Vice

She also deeply pushed boundaries of comfort by embracing gay rights at a time when nearly no celebrity would touch the topic (much less show it on stage, TV or in movies) and she was an AIDS activist and safe sex advocate in the early days of the 80s and 90s AIDS crisis -- she contributed to the advocacy of gays becoming commonplace as she played a role, remodeling minds and attitudes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Few other scholars had touched the topic.

The New York Times - Arts

This paper considers peer assessment automation and touches the topic of high actuality in advancing ICT for active learning.

Procedia Computer Science

While there is existing work in each of the three areas, there are — to the best of our knowledge — no survey studies on these topics (industrial or otherwise) with one exception (a survey of language developers which touches the topic of XLL Pfeiffer and Wasowski (2015)).

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

A second debate touching the topic of this paper is the debate of discrimination versus diversity responsive health care.

BMC Health Services Research

In a short discussion Hoch touches the topic of magnesium in relation to OXPHOS and concludes that this area of investigation needs to be clarified.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Clinical

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "mention" or "address" if "touch" feels too vague for your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "touch the topic" when you are actually providing an in-depth analysis. This phrase suggests a superficial treatment, so ensure your language accurately reflects the level of detail provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch the topic" functions as a verb phrase, where "touch" acts as a transitive verb taking "the topic" as its direct object. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, highlighting its common use to indicate a brief discussion. It can be used to introduce what's being discussed in the text.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch the topic" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is suitable for indicating a brief or introductory discussion of a subject. Ludwig examples show it being used across various contexts, including news and science. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, more formal writing might prefer alternatives like "address" or "examine". Use it when you intend to provide a superficial overview, and avoid it when a detailed analysis is presented. Remember to be aware of the depth of information you're delivering in the texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discuss the topic briefly

A more descriptive alternative to "touch the topic."

mention the topic

A more direct and neutral way to refer to a brief discussion.

refer to the topic

A general way to say the topic is being talked about.

address the topic

Implies a more formal and structured approach to discussing the subject.

cover the topic

Indicates addressing all aspects of the topic.

broach the subject

Suggests introducing a topic, often a sensitive one, into a conversation.

allude to the topic

Indicates a subtle or indirect reference to the subject.

explore the topic

Indicates an open-ended investigation into the subject.

examine the topic

Suggests a close and detailed inspection of the matter.

delve into the topic

Contrasts with "touch" implying a deeper investigation.

FAQs

What does "touch the topic" mean?

To "touch the topic" means to mention or discuss something briefly, without going into a lot of detail. It implies a superficial or introductory treatment of the subject.

What can I say instead of "touch the topic"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "touch the topic"?

Yes, "touch the topic" is a grammatically correct phrase. It follows standard English syntax and is commonly used in both spoken and written language.

How formal is the phrase "touch the topic"?

The phrase "touch the topic" is relatively neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might prefer a synonym like "address" or "examine".