touched upon before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touched upon before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a topic or subject that has been previously mentioned or discussed. Example: "The issue of climate change has been touched upon before in our meetings, but we need to address it more thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This can even help - sharing your efforts so far can make sure your readers-to-be will be impressed with your world, and your friends and family might have awesome ideas you never even touched upon before.

WikiHow

I'm not quite sure, because we have to turn to a metaphysical question that we've touched upon before, namely, can souls split?

Yale University

I want to touch on a few practical aspects of the seminars that have not been directly touched upon before, but also, as Peter did, tell you some of the problems and tell you my own approach and the satisfactions I gained from teaching such a program.

Yale University

The first area is, as I've touched upon before, opportunities in energy efficient buildings.

Huffington Post

But, as touched upon before, this group can be difficult to study due to heterogeneity and risk of bias.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I do not know, but it is a possibility touched upon well before the collapse of U.S. natural gas prices.

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times - Books

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

The New York Times

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

Human Reproduction Update

On the flight to Basel, the interim first-team manager returned to a theme that had been touched upon once before.

Independent

Furthermore, he touched upon dynasties never before dealt with by Islāmic historiographers, such as the Babylonians, the Seleucids, and the Assyrians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touched upon before" to gently remind the audience that a topic has been previously introduced, signaling a return to or expansion upon that idea without being overly repetitive.

Common error

Avoid using "touched upon before" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The topic was touched upon before", try "We touched upon the topic before."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touched upon before" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating that something has been previously mentioned or discussed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signals a return to a subject already introduced. It is often used to provide context or remind the audience of prior information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touched upon before" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a topic has been previously mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical soundness. While not overly common, it's suitable for various contexts, including academic, news, and general discourse. Alternatives include "previously mentioned" and "already discussed". When using this phrase, be mindful of passive voice and ensure it fits the overall tone and formality of your writing. Remember that it signals a brief or initial mention, distinct from a thorough coverage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously mentioned

More direct and less figurative than the original phrase.

already discussed

Focuses specifically on the act of discussing something earlier.

mentioned earlier

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the previous mention.

previously addressed

Implies a more formal or thorough treatment of the subject.

covered before

Suggests the topic has been comprehensively dealt with in the past.

alluded to previously

Indicates an indirect or subtle reference in the past.

briefly considered

Highlights the limited attention given to the topic earlier.

hinted at before

Suggests a subtle and not fully explicit reference.

referred to in the past

A formal way of indicating a prior reference.

spoken about earlier

Highlights conversation, not necessarily formal discussion

FAQs

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

You can use "touched upon before" to indicate that a topic has been previously mentioned but is now being revisited or expanded upon. For example, "As we've "touched upon before", the budget constraints are significant."

What are some alternatives to "touched upon before"?

Alternatives include "previously mentioned", "already discussed", or "mentioned earlier". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "touched upon before" formal or informal?

"Touched upon before" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for most professional and academic writing, but might be replaced with a simpler term like "already discussed" in very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "touched upon before" and "covered extensively"?

"Touched upon before" implies a brief or initial mention, while "covered extensively" suggests a thorough and detailed treatment. Use "touched upon before" when revisiting a topic that was only lightly addressed initially, and "covered extensively" when referring to a topic that has been discussed in depth.