- Are you unsure whether you should “make,” “give,” or “do” a comment?
- Do you struggle to choose the right adjective to describe a remark in a professional meeting?
- Have you ever wondered why “comment it” sounds wrong to a native English speaker?
Mastering Comment collocations is essential for achieving natural fluency in both digital and face-to-face communication. In English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in specific clusters. By learning these “word partners,” you reduce your cognitive load, decrease language anxiety, and ensure your message is received exactly as intended without the awkwardness of direct translation.
Essential Collocations using COMMENT as a Noun
Common Verbs Used with the Noun “Comment”
In English, we don’t just “say” a comment. We use specific functional verbs to describe the action of providing feedback.
- Make a comment: The most common way to express an opinion. (e.g., “I’d like to make a comment regarding the new policy.”)
- Post a comment: Specifically used for digital platforms and social media. (e.g., “Feel free to post a comment under the video.”)
- Leave a comment: Often used when the recipient will read it later. (e.g., “Please leave a comment in the guestbook.”)
- Withhold comment: To intentionally choose not to say anything, often for legal reasons. (e.g., “The lawyer decided to withhold comment until the trial ended.”)
- Invite comments: To ask others for their feedback. (e.g., “The CEO invites comments from all staff members.”)
Descriptive Adjectives for “Comment”
Adjectives help you define the tone and quality of the remark being made.
- Insightful comment: A remark that shows a deep understanding of a topic. (e.g., “She made several insightful comments during the seminar.”)
- Offhand comment: Something said without much thought or preparation. (e.g., “He didn’t mean to offend you; it was just an offhand comment.”)
- Scathing comment: A very harsh or critical remark. (e.g., “The critic wrote a scathing comment about the lead actor’s performance.”)
- Snide comment: A disrespectful or mocking remark, often made indirectly. (e.g., “I’m tired of his snide comments during our lunch breaks.”)
Common Collocations with COMMENT as a Verb
Adverbs used with the Verb “Comment”
When using “comment” as an action, we use adverbs to describe how the person is speaking or writing.
- Comment freely: To speak without restriction or fear. (e.g., “Participants were encouraged to comment freely on the draft.”)
- Comment extensively: To talk or write a lot about a specific subject. (e.g., “The professor commented extensively on the historical context of the poem.”)
- Comment publicly: To make a statement in a way that the general public can see or hear. (e.g., “The politician has not yet commented publicly on the scandal.”)
- Comment favorably: To express a positive opinion. (e.g., “Most reviewers commented favorably on the new software update.”)
Crucial Prepositional Patterns
The verb “comment” is almost always followed by a preposition when it has an object. In modern English, “on” is the standard choice.
- Comment on (something): The standard construction. (e.g., “I cannot comment on ongoing investigations.”)
- Refuse to comment: A common phrase in journalism and law. (e.g., “The spokesperson refused to comment on the rumors.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Make a comment | Verb + Noun | To express an opinion or observation. |
| Comment on | Verb + Preposition | To give an opinion about a specific thing. |
| No comment | Adjective + Noun | A phrase used to decline answering a question. |
| Fair comment | Adjective + Noun | A criticism that is considered justified. |
| Comment publicly | Verb + Adverb | To state something in an open forum. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I want to |
I want to make a comment. |
| He |
He commented on the book. |
| Please |
Please leave a comment here. |
| It was a |
It was a scathing comment (if negative). |
“During the meeting, Sarah decided to make a comment regarding the project delays. While she commented favorably on the team’s effort, she couldn’t help but comment on the lack of resources. The manager, who usually invites comments from the staff, seemed surprised by her insightful comment and promised to address the issues publicly in the next newsletter.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Comment Collocations
Is it “comment on” or “comment about”?
In modern English, “comment on” is much more common and preferred in both formal and informal writing. While “comment about” is sometimes used in casual speech, “comment on” is the safer, more professional choice for learners.
Can I use “comment” as a transitive verb (e.g., “He commented that…”)?
Yes, you can use “comment” followed by a “that” clause to report what someone said. For example: “She commented that the weather was lovely.” However, if you are referring to a noun or topic, you must use “on.”
What is the difference between “making a comment” and “leaving a comment”?
“Making a comment” is a general term often used for spoken remarks in real-time. “Leaving a comment” is typically used when the feedback is recorded for later viewing, such as on a blog post, a YouTube video, or a feedback form.
When should I say “No comment”?
“No comment” is a set phrase used to politely but firmly refuse to answer a question, especially from journalists or in a legal context. Using it in a casual conversation with friends might sound overly dramatic or funny.
What does “fair comment” mean?
“Fair comment” is a legal and journalistic term referring to a criticism that is based on facts and made without malice. In everyday English, it simply means an opinion that is reasonable or justified.
I always confuse 'make a comment' with 'give an opinion.' Are they interchangeable sometimes, or always different?
That's a subtle but important distinction, Wei! While both involve expressing thoughts, 'make a comment' is usually a specific remark or observation about something (e.g., 'He made a comment on the article'). 'Give an opinion' is broader and refers to stating one's general belief or judgment (e.g., 'She gave her opinion on the new policy'). A comment can *contain* an opinion, but an opinion isn't always presented as a specific 'comment.'
I'm a native speaker, but I still learned something new! Especially the 'why 'comment it' sounds wrong.' It's just instinctive, but this article explains the grammar behind it. Thanks!
In Portuguese, we also 'make a comment' (fazer um comentário). It's interesting to see these parallels and differences!
Is 'no comment' a specific idiom, or just a shortened version of 'I have no comment to make'?
That's a great question, Jin! 'No comment' functions as an idiomatic phrase itself. It's a very common, concise, and often direct way to state that one is unwilling or unable to provide any remark, typically in situations where information is sought but cannot or should not be disclosed (e.g., to the press). While it implies 'I have no comment to make,' it stands strongly on its own.
What about 'passing a comment'? Is that more informal or perhaps a specific context? I've heard it sometimes.
Good observation, Lena! 'Pass a comment' is indeed heard, often implying a casual, perhaps even slightly critical or off-the-cuff remark, sometimes without much thought. It can be more informal than 'make a comment.' For example, 'He passed a negative comment about the food.' It's less common in formal writing.
Reducing cognitive load is such an important point. Knowing these collocations frees up mental energy to focus on the message itself. Brilliant!
This makes me wonder about other words now! Like 'advice' or 'suggestion.' Do they have similar 'word partners' that are specific?
That's a fantastic thought, Priya! You're absolutely right – many common nouns have specific verb collocations. For 'advice,' you usually 'give advice,' 'offer advice,' or 'seek advice.' For 'suggestion,' you 'make a suggestion' or 'offer a suggestion.' Keep an eye out for future articles exploring these!
I appreciate the clear distinction between verbs used with 'comment' as a noun. It's often where my students stumble. The practical examples are excellent.
Thank you, Ms. Chen! We aimed for clarity precisely because these distinctions can be tricky. We're delighted that the examples resonate and help your students overcome common hurdles.
'Comment it' sounds wrong... yes, exactly! I knew it felt off but couldn't explain why. This article finally gives me the explanation!
What about prepositions *with* 'comment'? Like, do we 'comment *on* something' or 'comment *about* something'? Is there a difference?
That's a perceptive question, Sarah! Generally, we 'comment *on* something' (e.g., 'She commented on the recent news article'). 'Comment *about* something' is less common but still understood. 'Comment on' is the more standard and idiomatic choice for giving an opinion or remark about a topic.