Briefly mention a subject

The idea

In neutral speech and writing, touch on is followed by a noun or object pronoun: touch on the issue, touch on it. The words cannot be separated.

Examples

• The guide touched on local history during the walk.
• Maya will touch on the budget before lunch.
• The article touches on several possible solutions.
• We touched on it at the meeting but need more time.
• Her podcast touches on cooking and family traditions.
• The teacher touched on climate policy in the final minute.

Watch out

Do not say touch the issue on or touch it on. The phrase suggests a brief mention, not a thorough discussion.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. The speaker touched ___ housing costs. (on / at)

   Show answer or example answer

   on

   on completes the expression for mentioning housing costs briefly.

2. Choose the correct option. The report touched on ___ yesterday. (it / its)

   Show answer or example answer

   it

   it refers back to a subject and is an object pronoun.

3. Choose the correct option. Choose the natural order: (touched on the issue / touched the issue on)

   Show answer or example answer

   touched on the issue

   touched on the issue keeps the subject after the whole expression.

Use it today

Describe a subject you touched on in a recent conversation.