we touch on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we touch on" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to briefly discussing or mentioning a topic. For example: "In this report, we touch on the key findings of our research." Alternative expressions include "we address," "we mention," and "we discuss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This strong tie between the mental and physical is the subject of a large contemporary literature, some of which we touch on below.

SEP

It doesn't just encompass the gangster lifestyle —we touch on all aspects of the urban existence.

Vice

Our focus is the prototypic between-group test for intervention effects; however, we touch on the circumstance in which intervention effects are qualified by one or more moderators.

Duke University

"But sometimes, we touch on real personalities.

The New York Times - Magazine

We touch on it, obviously not referring to any party.

The New York Times

He mentions his father when we touch on his interest in dogs.

Independent

Here we touch on a potentially absurd but also possibly profound point.

The New Yorker

And we touch on it once in a while in our Diner's Journal blog.

The New York Times

We touch on all this in the course of a gentle, thoughtful and reflective movie.

The Guardian - Film

It's an issue we touch on, but people don't take it seriously.

The Guardian

But whatever subject we touch on, the conversation inevitably spirals back to the same thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase in introductory sections to manage reader expectations regarding the depth of subsequent sections.

Common error

Avoid using "we touch on" if you intend to dedicate a significant portion of your text to the topic. If you provide a deep dive or a full analysis, this phrase can make your writing seem disorganized or suggest that you do not realize the actual depth of your own work. In such cases, use "we analyze" or "we examine in detail" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we touch on" functions as a transitive phrasal verb where the plural first-person pronoun "we" acts as the collective subject. It is used to govern an object that represents a topic or subject matter. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as a meta-discursive marker that guides the reader through the structure of a text.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we touch on" is an essential component of professional and academic English. Based on data from Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to signal a brief or introductory mention of a topic. It is highly effective for maintaining narrative focus while still acknowledging necessary context. Whether you are writing a scientific paper for ScienceDirect or a feature article for The Guardian, this phrase helps manage the reader's expectations about the depth of information being provided. It remains a grammatically correct and stylistically neutral choice that is preferable to more exhaustive verbs like "we investigate" when the intention is merely to provide a glancing overview.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we address

More direct and suggests a slightly more comprehensive treatment than simply touching on a subject.

we mention

Simpler and emphasizes the act of naming or referencing without necessarily providing detail.

we cover

Implies a broader scope of information, though often used interchangeably in journalistic contexts.

we look at

A more neutral and slightly more casual alternative that fits well in editorial writing.

we discuss

Suggests a more active or detailed exchange of ideas compared to the glancing nature of the original phrase.

we refer to

Used specifically when the topic is being cited as a point of reference rather than a subject of discussion.

we outline

Indicates that only the structural highlights or main points will be presented.

we explore

More common in academic writing to suggest an analytical approach, even if brief.

we highlight

Focuses on calling attention to specific aspects rather than the subject as a whole.

we examine

Implies a more critical or investigative gaze, even if the mention is short.

FAQs

How to use "we touch on" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce secondary topics, such as, "In the following chapter, "we touch on" the economic implications of the policy shift."

What can I say instead of "we touch on"?

Depending on your intent, you can use alternatives like "we mention", "we address" or "we allude to".

Is "we touch on" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, it is very common in research papers and journals. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears in academic sources like Duke University and ScienceDirect to transition between related research questions.

What is the difference between "we touch on" and "we discuss"?

While "we discuss" suggests a more thorough or active exploration, "we touch on" implies a brief, glancing mention that may not involve a full analysis.