why not mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "why not mention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should bring up a particular point or topic in conversation or writing. Example: "In your report, why not mention the recent findings that support your argument?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Why not mention Jordan?

The New York Times - Sports

Younger women grew up being able to come out as gay, and expose sexual abuse and harassment – so why not mention a headache?

The New York Times

Rather than suggesting that gun locks are a "no-brainer," a view cited in your article, and how important "child-proofing" guns is, why not mention some facts?

The New York Times

Finally, Jager's survey of agribusiness seems biased (why not mention the potential benefits to genetically modified crops, like a rice that is a better source of vitamin A?).

The New York Times - Books

Why not mention Uefa's attempt to stop the richest clubs just buying up all the best players, by forcing a minimum of players nurtured at the clubs concerned?

The Guardian - Sport

"Why not mention the good ones, like Norway?" Norway is in fact assisting the Ugandan government through its energy, finance and environmental ministries and is funding a feasibility study on building a large refinery near Lake Albert.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Why not mentioning the halth interest of other animal proteins ?

Harvard University

Why did she not mention the pregnancy in her letters?

The Guardian

A note on The bride of Lammermoor : why Scott did not mention the Dalrymple legend until 1830.

Stanford University

But many voters, while liking what he said about health, will wonder why he did not mention the deficit.

Independent

So numbers alone may be the reason why Josephus does not mention the murders.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "why not mention", consider the context and audience to ensure the tone is appropriate. It can come across as critical, so soften the tone if necessary by adding a brief explanation or justification for the suggestion.

Common error

Avoid overusing "why not mention" in formal writing, as it can sometimes be perceived as confrontational. Instead, consider more neutral alternatives like "it would be beneficial to include" or "it may be relevant to note".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "why not mention" functions as an interrogative suggestion or a mild criticism. It's used to inquire about the absence of specific information, implying that it should have been included. Ludwig confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

25%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "why not mention" serves as a direct, interrogative way to suggest the inclusion of specific information. Grammatically correct and generally acceptable, according to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, while also appearing in academic contexts. The examples highlighted by Ludwig illustrate its use in various scenarios, emphasizing its function as a prompt for reflection on omissions. Consider the tone and context when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why omit mentioning

Replaces "not mention" with "omit mentioning", which is slightly more formal.

why exclude mentioning

Substitutes "not mention" with "exclude mentioning", implying a deliberate choice to leave something out.

why leave out

Replaces the whole phrase with a more casual expression.

why fail to mention

Uses "fail to mention" instead of "not mention", suggesting an oversight.

why neglect to mention

Substitutes "not mention" with "neglect to mention", indicating a lack of attention.

why is there no mention of

Changes the structure to focus on the absence of mention.

why wasn't it mentioned

Shifts the focus to a passive construction, questioning why something wasn't brought up.

what's the reason for not mentioning

Asks directly for the reason behind the omission.

can you explain the omission of

More formal request for explanation of why something was not included.

shouldn't you mention

Suggests that mentioning something is obligatory or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "why not mention" in a sentence?

You can use "why not mention" to suggest including a specific detail or topic. For example, "In your presentation, "why not mention" the positive impact on sales?"

What are some alternative phrases to "why not mention"?

Alternatives include "why omit mentioning", "why fail to mention", or "shouldn't you mention", depending on the context and desired tone.

When is it appropriate to use "why not mention"?

It's appropriate to use "why not mention" when you want to suggest that someone include a specific piece of information or point that seems relevant or important. However, be mindful of the tone, as it can sometimes sound critical.

What's the difference between "why not mention" and "is there a reason why you didn't mention"?

"Why not mention" is a more direct and concise way to suggest including something. "Is there a reason why you didn't mention" is a more formal and inquisitive approach, implying that there might be a specific explanation for the omission.