Quick answer: “Mentioned” is the only correct English spelling. “Mentionned” is a misspelling, and it usually comes from French, where the verb mentionner is spelled with a double “n.”
If you have ever stopped mid-sentence and wondered whether to type one “n” or two, you are not alone. The two forms look almost identical, and spell-checkers do not always catch the slip in fast typing. This guide explains what “mentioned” means, why “mentionned” is wrong, and how to use the word correctly in everyday, formal and academic writing.
What Does “Mentioned” Mean?
“Mentioned” is the past tense and past participle of the verb mention. To mention something is to refer to it briefly, often in passing, without going into detail.
Major dictionaries describe the verb in similar terms: to speak or write about someone or something, usually in a short or casual way. It can also mean to name someone for praise, as in “mentioned in dispatches,” or to suggest a person for a role, as in “she was mentioned as a possible candidate.”
Forms of the verb:
| Form | Word | Example |
| Base | mention | I will mention it to her. |
| Third person | mentions | He mentions it often. |
| Present participle | mentioning | She kept mentioning the deadline. |
| Past tense | mentioned | They mentioned it yesterday. |
| Past participle | mentioned | It has been mentioned before. |
Mentioned or Mentionned Meaning
There is no difference in meaning, because only one of them is a real English word. “Mentioned” means referred to briefly. “Mentionned” has no entry in standard English dictionaries.
The confusion is easy to explain. French uses mentionner (to mention) and its past form mentionné. Writers who speak French, or who have seen French text, sometimes carry the double “n” into English. Typing speed and autocorrect gaps do the rest.
Why “Mentionned” Is Wrong
English builds the past tense of “mention” the regular way: add -ed to the base word. The base ends in a single “n,” so nothing needs doubling.
Here is the logic:
- The verb is mention (ends in -tion).
- Add -ed to form the past tense.
- Result: mentioned.
English only doubles a final consonant when a short, stressed vowel comes before it, as in stop → stopped. Words ending in “-tion” never follow that rule. Compare question → questioned and caution → cautioned. Neither one doubles the “n.”
Memory trick: Think of “mention” as one idea. One idea, one “n” before the ending.
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How to Use “Mentioned” Correctly in Sentences
“Mentioned” works in three common patterns.
1. Active voice (someone mentioned something)
- She mentioned the new policy during the call.
- I mentioned your name to the manager.
2. Passive voice (something was mentioned)
- The issue was mentioned in the report.
- His name has been mentioned several times.
3. With “that” clauses
- He mentioned that the office would close early.
- She mentioned that she might move abroad.
A small grammar note: do not add “about” after the verb. Say “He mentioned the party,” not “He mentioned about the party.” Also avoid “mentioned me the news.” Say “mentioned the news to me” or “told me the news.”
More Examples of Mentioned in Context
- Everyday: My sister mentioned a great café near her office.
- Workplace: As mentioned in the email, the meeting starts at 10.
- News: The minister did not mention the budget cuts.
- Review: Several customers mentioned fast delivery.
- Recognition: Her design was mentioned in the final awards list.
- Phrases: Don’t mention it. / Not to mention the cost. / Last but not least, as previously mentioned.
Mentioned or Mentionned Synonym
If you want variety, these words can replace “mentioned” depending on the sentence:
| Synonym | Best used when | Example |
| referred to | formal or written tone | The report referred to earlier findings. |
| brought up | casual speech | She brought up the schedule. |
| noted | brief, factual remarks | He noted a few concerns. |
| stated | direct, clear claims | The firm stated its goals. |
| cited | sources or evidence | The author cited three studies. |
| touched on | brief coverage | The talk touched on pricing. |
| alluded to | indirect reference | He alluded to a past mistake. |
Pick the synonym that fits the tone. “Alluded to” suggests a hint, while “stated” suggests a plain fact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Doubling the n: writing “mentionned” instead of “mentioned.”
- Dropping the e: writing “mentiond.”
- Adding “about”: “mentioned about the issue.”
- Wrong word order: “mentioned me” instead of “mentioned to me.”
- Mixing up forms: “mention” for the past tense, as in “She mention it yesterday.”
- Overusing it: repeating “as mentioned above” many times in one piece.
Tips for Avoiding Mistakes
- Say it in syllables. Men-tioned has three beats. The sound gives no hint of a second “n.”
- Match it to similar words. Think questioned, cautioned, auctioned.
- Run a spell-check, then reread. Search the document for “nn” before publishing.
- Add it to your personal dictionary if you often make the slip.
- Check your keyboard habits. Fast typists often repeat the “n” without noticing.
Context Matters
The spelling never changes, but the way you use the word does. Tone, audience and setting all affect how natural a sentence sounds.
Context in Casual vs Formal Writing
In casual writing, short and relaxed phrasing is fine: “Oh, I mentioned it to Sam.” In formal writing, the passive and fixed phrases are more common: “As mentioned in Section 2,” or “The above-mentioned policy applies.”
Regional Differences Matter
The spelling is the same around the world. Differences show up in phrasing, not letters. For example, “mentioned in despatches” is a British military phrase, and “don’t mention it” is a polite reply to thanks in both regions.
Context in Technical or Academic Writing
Academic writers often prefer “refer to” or “cite” when pointing to sources. Use “mentioned” for brief references, and avoid it when you mean a formal citation. Phrases like “previously mentioned” and “mentioned above” help readers follow your structure, but use them sparingly.
Context in Storytelling or Everyday Conversation
In stories, “mentioned” can sound a little stiff. Writers often swap it for “said,” “brought up” or “let slip.” Example: “He let slip that he had been there before” feels more natural than “He mentioned that he had been there before.”
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Using Transition Words for Smooth Context
Transition words help a mention flow into the next idea:
- As mentioned earlier, the results improved.
- Speaking of which, she mentioned a new plan.
- By the way, I should have mentioned the fee.
- Not to mention the extra cost.
- That said, the point mentioned above still stands.
Mentioned vs Mentionned in British and American English
Both varieties use mentioned. Neither accepts “mentionned.” Dictionary entries from British and American publishers list the same forms: mention, mentions, mentioning, mentioned.
| Feature | British English | American English |
| Spelling | mentioned | mentioned |
| “Mentionned” accepted? | No | No |
| Common phrase | mentioned in despatches | mentioned in dispatches |
| Polite reply | don’t mention it | don’t mention it |
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct spelling:
- She (mentioned / mentionned) the delay in her message.
- The topic was briefly (mentioned / mentionned) in class.
- As (mentioned / mentionned) above, the deadline is Friday.
- Nobody (mentioned / mentionned) the change to me.
- He has (mentioned / mentionned) it twice already.
Fix the sentence:
- He mentioned about the problem.
- She mention the trip yesterday.
Answers: 1–5: mentioned. 6: “He mentioned the problem.” 7: “She mentioned the trip yesterday.”
Common Spelling Mistakes With Mentioned
| Wrong spelling | Correct spelling | Why it goes wrong |
| mentionned | mentioned | French influence, double “n” |
| mentiond | mentioned | missing “e” |
| menshioned | mentioned | spelling by sound |
| mensioned | mentioned | “t” dropped |
| mentoined | mentioned | letters swapped |
Reference Cambridge Dictionary Definitions
In general terms, the Cambridge Dictionary treats mention as a verb meaning to speak or write about something or someone, usually in a short way and without much detail. It also lists the noun form, meaning a short reference to something. You can look up “mention” on the Cambridge Dictionary site to see the full entry, pronunciation and example sentences. Other leading references, including Merriam-Webster, Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries and Dictionary.com, show the same single-“n” spelling.
FAQs
What is the difference between mentioned and mention?
“Mention” is the base verb (and a noun), while “mentioned” is its past tense and past participle. Use “mention” for the present or future and “mentioned” for the past.
Is “mentioned” correct in British English?
Yes. British and American English both spell it “mentioned.”
Can I use “mentionned” in English?
No. “Mentionned” is a misspelling, often influenced by the French mentionner, and it is not accepted in standard English.
How do you spell mentioned correctly?
M-E-N-T-I-O-N-E-D, with a single “n” before the “-ed.”
What is an example of “mentioned” in a sentence?
“She mentioned that the meeting had moved to Monday.”
Conclusion
The rule is simple: mentioned is correct, and mentionned is not. The double “n” comes from French, but English forms the past tense by adding “-ed” to “mention” with no extra letter.
Keep the memory tricks in mind, watch for the “about” slip, and match the word to your tone, whether you are writing a casual text or a formal report. A quick reread before you publish is usually all it takes.
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