touching upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"touching upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is mentioned or alluded to briefly. For example, "The professor's lecture touched upon many interesting topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I close by touching upon the other elements of injunctive relief.

Harvard University

Whereas for many years developers have been touching upon the housing association side".

The Guardian

What he is touching upon is that there is sometimes a social and prejudicial component in the decision making.

The New York Times

You are touching upon probably the most important topic in the world, how we treat each other.

University of California, Berkeley

A list of modern classics would surely be incomplete without touching upon J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series!

The Guardian

It is both acutely specific and easily relatable, touching upon issues of identity, coming of age, family and romantic attachment.

The Guardian - Film

We consider a wide variety of gene signatures, touching upon many of the hallmarks of cancer, explained in the original and updated work by Hanahan and Weinberg1,2.

Nature

The new independence or autonomy has never been recognized as total, however, at least not in matters directly touching upon human life.

The New York Times

It was about minerality, a buzzword favored among the vinoscenti, controversial and misunderstood, touching upon the conflict between the intellectual rigors of science and the romanticism of wine.

The Washington Post

They reflect the realities of modern commerce and go beyond trade, touching upon behind-the-border issues such as standards, regulation and opening government contracts to competitive bidding.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1702, in an opinion touching upon parliamentary power, Chief Justice Sir John Holt discussed limitations on government in language that has long seemed more intriguing than clear.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touching upon" when you want to introduce a topic without delving into extensive detail. It's ideal for overviews and introductions.

Common error

While acceptable, "touching upon" can sometimes seem vague in highly formal or academic contexts. Consider using more precise language that indicates the depth of analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touching upon" functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies a verb, indicating the act of briefly mentioning or addressing a subject. Ludwig's examples show it used across a range of topics, from legal injunctions to literary analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touching upon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed to indicate a brief mention or allusion to a subject across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, it’s important to consider the level of formality required, as more precise language might be preferable in highly formal writing. Related phrases like "alluding to" or "referring to" can offer subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alluding to

Indicates a subtle or indirect reference, implying less directness than "touching upon".

referring to

A more direct way of mentioning something, slightly less subtle than "touching upon".

mentioning briefly

Explicitly indicates a short and concise reference.

addressing lightly

Implies a casual or non-thorough treatment of a topic.

dealing with briefly

Suggests a short amount of time being spent on a topic.

glancing at

Suggests a very quick and superficial look at something.

skirting around

Implies avoiding the main points while still being relevant.

making a passing reference to

Highlights the casual and brief nature of the reference.

brushing on

Implies a light and gentle contact with a subject.

glossing over

Suggests a deliberate act of minimizing or overlooking certain aspects.

FAQs

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

You can use "touching upon" to indicate that you are briefly mentioning or addressing a topic, for example, "The lecture will be "touching upon" several key concepts in quantum physics".

What can I say instead of "touching upon"?

You can use alternatives like "alluding to", "referring to", or "mentioning briefly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "touching on" instead of "touching upon"?

While "touching upon" and "touching on" are both acceptable, "touching upon" often implies a slightly more formal and deliberate act of mentioning something. "Touching on" is more commonly used in informal contexts.

What is the difference between "touching upon" and "exploring" a topic?

"Touching upon" suggests a brief and superficial engagement with a subject, while "exploring" implies a deeper and more thorough investigation. Therefore, "touching upon" is less comprehensive than exploring.