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cover a topic — discuss or include a subject

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

To talk about, explain, or include information about a particular subject or issue.

Say it like a native

Textbook We shall address that subject in due course.

Native We'll cover that topic later.

'Address that subject in due course' is formal; 'cover a topic' is the everyday verb for teaching/meetings.

Pattern: cover a/an/the topic (of)

In use

  • The teacher will cover the topic of climate change in tomorrow’s class.study
  • In my presentation, I will cover the topic of healthy eating habits and explain why they are important.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ We covered about climate change in class.

✓ We covered climate change in class.

'Cover' takes the topic directly — no 'about'.

Common collocations

  • cover a topic — a lot of ground, the basics, in the lecture, everything

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'mention a topic,' which means to only briefly refer to it.

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