touched upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touched upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a topic has been briefly mentioned or addressed in a discussion or text. Example: "In her presentation, she touched upon the importance of sustainability in business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not much touched upon," said Mrs. Keith.

The New York Times

Disputes with Renata Scotto, Joan Sutherland and Eva Marton are touched upon as well.

The New York Times - Books

But Mr Bush, wittingly or not, had touched upon a serious point.

The Economist

Many of the general issues that have been touched upon will come up for discussion.

SEP

There's so much we have that we haven't even touched upon".

Los Angeles Times

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

Human Reproduction Update

Maybe, these concepts could be touched upon somewhere in the Introduction.

F1000Research

Protein fusion biobetters employing targeting approaches are touched upon as well.

BioDrugs

I've only touched upon four of them here.

Independent

Arteriosclerosis and arthritis will therefore be briefly touched upon here.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The president's question touched upon a central conviction at Apple.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "touched upon" with stronger verbs like "analyzed" or "investigated" if the subject was explored thoroughly.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "touched upon" in formal writing. Excessive use can make your writing seem vague or lacking in depth. Vary your vocabulary to provide a richer and more precise description of how topics are addressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touched upon" functions as a phrasal verb indicating that a subject was mentioned but not explored in depth. It suggests a cursory examination or a brief acknowledgement of a topic, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touched upon" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a topic has been briefly mentioned but not thoroughly examined. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various writing contexts. It's frequently found in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, making it suitable for neutral to slightly formal registers. Alternatives like "mentioned briefly" or "alluded to" can be used to add nuance, while overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity and depth. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "touched upon" to manage the scope and focus of their discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mentioned briefly

Indicates a short reference to a topic, prioritizing conciseness.

alluded to

Suggests an indirect reference, often hinting at something without explicitly stating it.

referred to

Emphasizes a direct, but possibly brief, mention of a subject.

addressed lightly

Conveys a sense of dealing with something in a superficial or non-thorough manner.

glanced at

Implies a very quick and cursory examination or mention.

skirted around

Suggests avoiding the core of a topic while still making some reference to it.

hinted at

Indicates a subtle suggestion or implication, rather than an explicit statement.

covered superficially

Highlights a lack of depth in the treatment of a subject.

made passing reference to

Emphasizes the brief and incidental nature of the mention.

briefly discussed

Highlights the limited time or detail dedicated to a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "touched upon" in a sentence?

You can use "touched upon" to indicate a brief mention of a topic, for example: "The presentation "touched upon" the key challenges facing the industry."

What are some alternatives to "touched upon"?

Alternatives include "mentioned briefly", "alluded to", or "referred to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "touched upon" versus "discussed in detail"?

"Touched upon" implies a brief or superficial mention, while "discussed in detail" indicates a thorough examination. Use ""touched upon"" when the topic is only lightly addressed and "discussed in detail" when the topic receives extensive analysis.

Is "touched upon" formal or informal?

"Touched upon" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal academic or professional writing, consider more precise alternatives to enhance clarity and depth.