Mention
~ to refer to something briefly = mention a point, mention a concept, mention a concern

state
~ to say something clearly or formally = state a fact, state an objective, state a conclusion

note
~ to remark on something briefly or informally = note a detail, note an observation, note a limitation

remark
~ to make a comment, often about something noticed = remark on behavior, remark on progress, remark on results

cite
~ to reference a source or example = cite a study, cite evidence, cite an author

refer
~ to direct attention to something = refer to a source, refer to a topic, refer to prior work

point out
~ to highlight or draw attention to something = point out an error, point out an issue, point out a pattern

highlight
~ to emphasize something important = highlight findings, highlight key points, highlight limitations

bring up
~ to introduce a topic for discussion = bring up a concern, bring up an idea, bring up an argument

address
~ to discuss or respond to a topic = address a question, address a problem, address an issue

raise
~ to introduce something others should consider = raise a question, raise a topic, raise a concern

assert
~ to state something confidently as true = assert a claim, assert an idea, assert a position

claim
~ to say something is true, often needing support = claim a relationship, claim a result, claim an effect

allude to
~ to indirectly mention or hint at something = allude to a theory, allude to prior work, allude to assumptions

Phrases

The professor mentions how ...
The passage states that ...
As it progressed, we noted a change ...
The lecturer remarked on his research ...
The research cites a seminal experiment that laid the groundwork for subsequent studies
The speaker referred to previous studies on this topic.
Our professor pointed out that ...
the results highlight a
Bringing up a concern ...
Addressing those concerns, ...
Which raises a plausible question, ..
The article asserts a claim about how ...
Alluding to his prior work, ...