comment

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.