to make a comment
My mum always comments on what I'm wearing.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
comment
verb (comments, commenting, commented)
to say what you think about something:
A lot of people at school commented on my new watch.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
II. comment2 S3 W3 AC BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑comment, ↑commentary; verb: ↑comment]
to express an opinion about someone or something SYN remark
comment on
People were always commenting on his size.
comment that
Smith’s lawyer commented that the decision was ‘outrageous’.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to say something
▪ say to tell someone something, using words: ‘I really ought to go,’ she said. | Lauren said she’d probably be late.
▪ state to say something, especially in a definite or formal way – used in official contexts: The witness stated that he had never seen the woman before. | Please state your name and address.
▪ announce to publicly tell people about something: The chairman announced his resignation. | The results will be announced tomorrow. | We will announce the winners next Sunday. | They were announcing the train times over the loudspeaker system.
▪ declare to say something very firmly: ‘My personal life is none of your business,’ she declared.
▪ mention to talk about someone or something, especially without giving many details: Did Tom mention anything about what happened at school? | Your name was mentioned!
▪ express to let someone know your feelings by putting them into words: Young children often find it difficult to express their emotions.
▪ comment to say what your opinion is about someone or something: The prime minister was asked to comment on the crisis.
▪ note/remark formal to say that you have noticed that something is true – used especially in formal writing: We have already noted that most old people live alone. | Someone once remarked that the problem with computers is that they only give you answers.
▪ add to say something more, after what has already been said: He added that he thought it could be done fairly cheaply.
▪ point out to mention something that seems particularly important or relevant: Dr Graham points out that most children show some signs of abnormal behaviour. | It’s worth pointing out that few people actually die of this disease.
▪ air to talk about your opinions, worries, or the things you disagree about: air your views/grievances/differences: The programme will give listeners the chance to air their views about immigration. | Workers were able to air their grievances.
▪ voice to talk publicly about your feelings or about whether you approve or disapprove of something formal: voice concern/support/doubt/fears etc: The president has already voiced his support for the proposal. | She voiced concern for the safety of the hostages.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
verb intransitive, transitive ~ (on/upon sth)
to express an opinion about sth
• I don't feel I can comment on their decision.
• He refused to comment until after the trial.
• We were just commenting on how well you look.
• ~ that… A spokesperson commented that levels of carbon dioxide were very high.
• + speech ‘Not his best performance,’ she commented to the woman sitting next to her.
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘explanatory piece of writing’): from Latin commentum ‘contrivance’ (in late Latin also ‘interpretation’), neuter past participle of comminisci ‘devise’.
Thesaurus:
comment verb I, T
• They commented on how well she looked.
remark • |formal observe • • note •
comment/remark on sth
comment/remark/observe to sb
comment/remark/observe/note that…
Comment, remark or observe? You can only use refuse to with comment:
• He refused to comment until after the trial.
¤ He refused to remark/observe until after the trial.
Synonyms:
comment
note • remark • observe
These words all mean to say or write a fact or opinion.
comment • to express an opinion or give facts about sth: ▪ He refused to comment until after the trial.
note • (rather formal) to mention sth because it is important or interesting: ▪ He noted in passing that the company's record on safety issues was not good.
remark • to say or write what you have noticed about a situation: ▪ Critics remarked that the play was not original.
observe • (formal) to say or write what you have noticed about a situation: ▪ She observed that it was getting late.
comment, remark or observe?
If you comment on sth you say sth about it; if you remark on sth or observe sth, you say sth about it that you have noticed: there is often not much difference between the three. However, while you can refuse to comment (without on), you cannot ‘refuse to remark’ or ‘refuse to observe’ (without on): He refused to remark/observe until after the trial.
to comment/note/remark/observe that…
to comment on/note/remark/observe how…
to comment/remark on sth
to comment/remark/observe to sb
‘It's long,’ he commented/noted/remarked/observed.
Example Bank:
• He commented favourably on the proposals.
• He refused to comment on the proposals.
• People were commenting about her abilities.
• She commented to me that she liked it.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
comment / ˈkɒm.ent / / ˈkɑː.ment / verb [ I or T ]
B2 to make a comment:
My mum always comments on what I'm wearing.
[ + that ] He commented that the two essays were rather similar.
The official refused to/declined to comment on the matter.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
comment
[kɒ̱ment]
comments, commenting, commented
1) VERB If you comment on something, you give your opinion about it or you give an explanation for it.
[V on n/wh] So far, Mr Cook has not commented on these reports...
[V on n/wh] Stratford police refuse to comment on whether anyone has been arrested...
You really can't comment till you know the facts...
[V with quote] `I'm always happy with new developments,' he commented...
[V that] Stuart commented that this was very true.
2) N-VAR A comment is something that you say which expresses your opinion of something or which gives an explanation of it.
He made his comments at a news conference in Amsterdam...
I was wondering whether you had any comments about that?...
There's been no comment so far from police about the allegations...
Lady Thatcher, who is abroad, was not available for comment.
3) N-SING: usu a N on n If an event or situation is a comment on something, it reveals something about that thing, usually something bad.
He argues that family problems are typically a comment on some unresolved issues in the family.
Syn:
reflection
4) CONVENTION People say `no comment' as a way of refusing to answer a question, usually when it is asked by a journalist.
No comment. I don't know anything.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
comment
2comment verb -ments; -ment·ed; -ment·ing : to make a statement about someone or something : to make a comment
[no obj]
• When asked about his involvement in the scandal, he refused/declined to comment.
- usually + on
• Several people have commented on my new dress.
• He declined to comment on the matter.
[+ obj]
• She commented that the service seemed slow.
• “The service seems slow today,” she commented. [=remarked]