touched on this topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touched on this topic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to mention something quickly without going into detail. For example: "During his speech, the Prime Minister touched on this topic but didn't go into detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Previous studies have touched on this topic.

BMJ Open

(Jeffrey Toobin has also touched on this topic, in his Profile of Ginsburg from earlier this year).

The New Yorker

Certainly this is the advice of The World in 2011, advising the super-rich to avoid public opprobrium in these straitened times by supporting charity…Cassandra has touched on this topic before, and now sees a similar thought from Trendwatching.com, a firm that spots consumer trends and has just come out with "11 crucial consumer trends for 2011" (well worth looking at).

The Economist

I touched on this topic, in only a glancing fashion, in a column a few weeks back about the billionaire Joe Ricketts, the nastiness of so much partisan warfare and the various forces that have led to an ever greater polarization of the electorate and of lawmakers.

The New York Times

A recent Chicago Tribune piece touched on this topic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The GOP ultimately ended her filibuster by citing three instances throughout her speech where she touched on topics "not germane" to the bill (the topics: Planned Parenthood, sonograms and Roe v. Wade).

Huffington Post

The festival also celebrates this diversity, with awards given to projects which have a powerful message that often touch on this topics.

Vice

These statements touched on topics like delivering for multiple on-demand companies, tax deductions, scheduling, the wearing of uniforms and order acceptance rates.

TechCrunch

Bert's writing occasionally touched on topics also covered by the anti-prison discourse, but he was really separate from all that.

Vice

As last year's recipient of the ADG's Lifetime Achievement Award, Carter invited ADG members and press to "turn on, tune in, and trip out" in his conversation, which touched on topics including patterns, symbols, and dreams in cinema.

Vice

The result was an explosive first season that touched on topics running the gamut from the trans experience to the criminalization of black hair, brought to life in dramatically different mediums.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touched on this topic" when you want to acknowledge a subject without delving into extensive details.

Common error

Avoid using "touched on this topic" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "briefly addressed" or "mentioned in passing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touched on this topic" functions as a verb phrase indicating a brief or superficial discussion of a subject. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from academic studies to news reports, to suggest a limited engagement with a particular subject. The Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touched on this topic" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a brief mention or discussion of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate when you want to acknowledge a subject without going into detail. It appears frequently in news and media, science, and business contexts. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives such as "addressed this topic briefly" or "mentioned this topic in passing". Its neutral register makes it versatile for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

referred to this topic

Simple mention or reference to the topic.

addressed this topic briefly

Indicates a short discussion, emphasizing conciseness.

commented on this topic briefly

Emphasizes a short comment or observation.

mentioned this topic in passing

Suggests a fleeting reference, less detailed.

glanced at this topic

Indicates a quick and cursory look.

alluded to this topic

Implies an indirect reference, not explicitly stated.

made a passing remark about this topic

Highlights the brevity and informality of the reference.

considered this topic lightly

Indicates a superficial examination.

dealt with this topic superficially

Highlights a lack of depth in addressing the subject.

skirted around this topic

Implies avoiding direct engagement.

FAQs

What does "touched on this topic" mean?

It means to mention or discuss something briefly, without going into great detail.

How can I use "touched on this topic" in a sentence?

Example: "The speaker touched on this topic during his presentation, but didn't elaborate further."

What can I say instead of "touched on this topic"?

You can use alternatives like "addressed this topic briefly", "mentioned this topic in passing", or "alluded to this topic" depending on the context.

Is "touched on this topic" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.