touch upon briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch upon briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to mention or address a topic in a concise manner without going into great detail. Example: "In this presentation, I will touch upon briefly the key findings of our research before diving into the main discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Several focused on the region's fast-declining economy, a subject Mr. Bush touched upon briefly today but without offering any strategy to reverse the downturn.

The New York Times

Fashion is touched upon briefly — one woman boasts dreamily of a particularly extravagant gown made of eight layers of silk — but, oddly enough, the subject of shoes never once arises.

The New York Times

Due to space constraints, these important research-technical problems can only be touched upon briefly here.

European Journal of Futures Research

Choosing between Automatic code generator and Manual code generator has been touched upon briefly.

FPGAs 101 Everything you need to know to get started

In conjunction with the Internet as a learning resource, the aspect of culture learning for engineering students is touched upon briefly.

Computers & Education

The manga version goes through the Dream and Air arcs in detail while the Summer arc is only touched upon briefly throughout the manga.

Wikipedia

Instead, there are most likely broader socio-political factors that were touched upon briefly in the two exploratory case studies that also affect how countries communicate scientific uncertainty differently.

Climatic Change

Whether such pleasure-displeasure parallels actually hold is a significant further issue, touched upon only briefly in the present entry.

SEP

In the treatise On Mixture and Increase Alexander expands on problems that Aristotle touched upon only briefly in On Generation and Corruption I 10, but his main concern is — as it is in his On Fate — to prove that the Stoic position of a 'thorough' mixture of two substances cannot be maintained.

SEP

Most of the elements touched upon appear in Fig.  1.

Human Reproduction Update

Before proceeding, we briefly touch upon earlier efforts about SVI((X,F)).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch upon briefly" when you want to acknowledge a topic without delving into extensive details. This is useful in situations where time is limited or the topic is not central to the main discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "touch upon briefly" excessively, as it can make your writing seem superficial. If a topic is significant, consider dedicating more time to it rather than just touching upon it briefly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "touch upon briefly" is to act as a verb phrase indicating the extent to which a topic is addressed. It signifies a light or superficial examination, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch upon briefly" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, serving to indicate that a topic will be mentioned without going into significant detail. Ludwig confirms its appropriate use across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While it's a useful phrase for managing the scope of a discussion, overuse can lead to superficial writing. Consider alternatives like "mention in passing" or "briefly discuss" for nuanced expression. Use "touch upon briefly" judiciously to maintain a balance between breadth and depth in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly discuss

A more direct and straightforward alternative.

note in brief

Highlights the brevity of the mention.

mention in passing

Implies even less emphasis or detail than "touch upon briefly".

allude to briefly

Suggests an indirect reference, rather than a direct discussion.

glance over

Indicates a quick and superficial examination.

skim over

Similar to "glance over", but emphasizes a lack of thoroughness.

sketch out

Suggests providing a basic outline without detailed development.

cover cursorily

Emphasizes the lack of detailed coverage.

address lightly

Implies a gentle or non-serious approach to the subject.

hint at

Indicates an even less direct approach than "allude to".

FAQs

How can I use "touch upon briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "touch upon briefly" to indicate that you will mention something without going into great detail. For example: "During the presentation, I will "touch upon briefly" the project's financial aspects."

What are some alternatives to "touch upon briefly"?

Alternatives include "mention in passing", "briefly discuss", or "allude to briefly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "touch upon briefly" in formal writing?

Yes, "touch upon briefly" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to acknowledge a topic without providing an in-depth analysis. However, ensure that the level of detail is sufficient for the context.

What is the difference between "touch upon briefly" and "discuss in detail"?

"Touch upon briefly" means to mention something quickly and without much elaboration, while "discuss in detail" implies a thorough and comprehensive examination of the topic.