remarks and remarking

comment

I. com‧ment¹ S1 W2 AC /ˈkɒment $ ˈkɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑comment, ↑commentary; verb: ↑comment]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: commentum, from Latin, 'invention', from comminisci 'to invent']
1. [uncountable and countable] an opinion that you express about someone or something SYN remark
comment on/about
his comments about asylum seekers
He was fined for making abusive comments to the referee.
no comment (=used by people in public life when they do not want to answer questions)
2. [uncountable] criticism or discussion of something someone has said or done:
The speech received much comment in the press.
3. be a comment on something to be a sign of the bad quality of something:
The number of adults who cannot read is a sad comment on the quality of our schools.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a comment Everyone was making appreciative comments about the delicious food.
▪ have a comment (=want to make a comment) Do you have any comments on that, David?
▪ pass (a) comment British English (=give an opinion) He looked at my photos but he didn’t pass comment.
▪ invite comment(s) (=ask people to give an opinion) The website invites comments from people who visit it.
▪ welcome comments (=be glad to hear people’s opinions) We would welcome your comments and suggestions.
▪ receive comments It is very helpful to receive comments from the public.
■ adjectives
▪ a brief/quick comment I just want to make a very brief comment.
▪ a helpful/constructive comment (=one that helps you make progress) Pay close attention to your teacher’s constructive comments.
▪ a positive/negative comment There were some very positive comments in the report.
▪ a critical comment The school has received critical comments from inspectors.
▪ (a) fair comment (=a criticism that is reasonable) I accepted as fair comment 90% of what he said.
▪ a snide comment (=unkind and made in a secret or indirect way) She made some really snide comments about you when you weren’t here.
▪ a disparaging/derogatory comment (=criticizing someone or something in an unpleasant way) Never make disparaging comments about a colleague’s work.
▪ a scathing/damning comment (=a very critical one) There were a lot of scathing comments about the film.
▪ an appreciative comment (=showing that you think something is good or nice) Appreciative comments may improve your staff’s performance.
▪ a sarcastic comment (=in which you say the opposite of what you mean, as an unkind joke) I tried to stay calm, despite his sarcastic comments.
▪ a casual comment (=not very serious or important) I only made a casual comment about finding the work a bit boring.
▪ a passing comment (=a quick comment made without thinking about it very carefully) She got upset about a passing comment I made about her clothes.
▪ a shrewd comment (=good at judging people or situations) His newspaper article is always full of shrewd comments.
▪ a wry comment (=saying that something is bad in an amusing way) ‘Perhaps the food could be improved,’ was the wry comment of one prisoner.
▪ a bitter comment (=an angry one) Several pensioners passed some bitter comments.
▪ a public comment The jury are forbidden from making public comments.

THESAURUS
▪ comment something that you say or write in order to give your opinion: Does anyone have any comments? | Readers are invited to send in their comments and suggestions.
▪ remark something that you say: Just ignore them if they start making rude remarks. | I’m not sure what he meant by that last remark.
▪ point something that someone mentions about a subject in a discussion, argument, article etc: That’s an interesting point, Steve. | He raises (=mentions) a number of important points in his paper.
▪ observation a comment in which you say what you think or have noticed about something: Karl Marx made the observation that history repeats itself first as tragedy, second as farce.
▪ aside a comment made in a low voice, that you intend only certain people to hear: ‘Is that true?’, she whispered in an aside to Don.
▪ quip /kwɪp/ a clever and amusing comment: She knew she should reply with some light-hearted quip.
▪ dig informal a comment you make to annoy or criticize someone: I’m tired of her little digs at me.
▪ taunt /tɔːnt $ tɒːnt/ a comment intended to make someone angry or upset: The fans made racist taunts throughout the game.

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’.
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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.