Meaning & use
a commentary
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Meanings
nouncountable
A spoken or written explanation or analysis of an event, situation, or text, often given while it is happening or shortly afterward.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a commentary' or 'commentaries'. Often followed by 'on' to show the subject.
Patterns
- a commentary on something
- provide a commentary
- give a commentary
The documentary includes a commentary by the director, explaining the challenges of filming in remote areas.
She wrote a detailed commentary on the political situation in the region.
Listeners can hear a live commentary on the radio during the match.
nouncountable
A series of notes or explanations added to a text, especially in a scholarly book, to help readers understand it.
Grammar: Countable: often used in academic contexts, e.g. 'a commentary on Aristotle'.
Patterns
- a commentary on a text
- write a commentary
The professor published a commentary on the works of Shakespeare.
Students were asked to produce a commentary on the poem, explaining its metaphors.
Word forms
| plural | commentaries |
|---|
Common combinations
- political commentary
- The newspaper is known for its sharp political commentary.
- running commentary
- He gave us a running commentary on the game as we watched.
- social commentary
- The film is a powerful social commentary on inequality.
- provide commentary
- The expert was invited to provide commentary for the live broadcast.
Synonyms and how they differ
- analysis
- Analysis is a more general word for a detailed examination; commentary often suggests a continuous explanation or opinion alongside an event.
- explanation
- Explanation focuses on making something clear; commentary can include interpretation and opinion.
- critique
- Critique is a formal assessment, often critical; commentary can be neutral or descriptive.
Word family
- comment noun
- A short remark or opinion, not a full explanation.
- commentate verb
- To give a spoken commentary, especially on a sports event.
- commentator noun
- A person who gives a commentary, e.g. on radio or TV.
Commonly confused: a commentary or comment?
a commentary vs comment
A comment is a brief opinion or reaction, while a commentary is a longer, more detailed explanation or analysis.
Practice
The documentary features a commentary _____ the director about the making of the film.
Choose one answer.
We use 'a commentary by someone' to show who gave the commentary. 'Of' is wrong because it would mean the commentary belongs to the director, not that they gave it. 'From' is possible in some contexts but less common; 'by' is the standard choice here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a commentary”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.