a dominant subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dominant subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing themes, topics, or elements that hold significant influence or importance in a particular discussion or analysis. Example: "In the study of social dynamics, power is often seen as a dominant subject that shapes interactions among individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

At that time, talk of a possible unilateral Israeli air strike on Iran was a dominant subject of diplomatic conversation.

The Guardian

At any normal summit, this would be a dominant subject, particularly since the field is still wide open.

The Economist

Mrs. Bachmann might take some solace in the fact that the review found no stories in which Rick Santorum or Jon M. Huntsman Jr. were a dominant subject.

The New York Times

The review found that Mr. Cain received the most press attention, with at least 297 stories in which he was a dominant subject; Gov. Rick Perry of Texas was second with 150 stories; Mitt Romney was third with 148.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, that same report called the album "dark"; according to the LA Times "a darkness has replaced the instrumental interludes, buoyancy and lightness of his last three albums"; while Billboard in the US said that "death … is a dominant subject on Tempest".

The Guardian - Music

Friends, here at the United Nations, a dominant subject of debate in recent years has been "weapons of mass destruction" or WMD.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The AIDS crisis is going to be a, perhaps the, dominant subject on the trip.

The New York Times

Nor, surprisingly, has a lost nationhood been the dominant subject of the modern Scottish novel.

The Guardian - Books

President Bush's desire to speed up -- yet again -- the rate at which Iraqis are put on the streets to supplement the 130,000 American troops in Iraq was the dominant subject at a meeting of the National Security Council in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday morning.

The New York Times

It's the dominant subject for the parents of a newborn.

Huffington Post

"New Jersey was essentially his dominant subject matter throughout his life," said Barbara Haskell, a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dominant subject", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the subject dominant. Provide evidence or examples to support its prominence.

Common error

Avoid using "a dominant subject" when the subject's importance is not clearly established or is debatable. Ensure the subject genuinely holds significant influence or attention within the given context.

Linguistic Context

A dominant subject functions as a noun phrase that identifies a key theme, topic, or focus within a specific context. It highlights something of primary importance or influence, as supported by Ludwig's examples of diplomatic conversation, press attention, and album themes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dominant subject" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a key theme or topic that exerts significant influence or receives substantial attention. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate when emphasizing the prominence of a specific subject within a given discussion or analysis. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the subject's dominance and provide supporting evidence. Alternatives such as ""a prevailing topic"" or ""a central theme"" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevailing topic

Replaces "dominant subject" with "prevailing topic", emphasizing the widespread nature of the topic.

a central theme

Substitutes "subject" with "theme", focusing on the underlying idea or message.

a primary focus

Emphasizes the main point of attention rather than a general subject.

a major issue

Highlights the significance of the subject as a problem or point of concern.

a key element

Replaces "subject" with "element", suggesting it's a crucial component of something larger.

a leading question

Focuses on the subject as a guiding inquiry or problem.

a recurring motif

Highlights that the subject reappears several times.

the principal concern

Emphasizes it is a matter of great importance.

the foremost topic

Highlights the prominence and priority of the topic.

a significant area

Broadens the concept from a specific subject to a broader field of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "a dominant subject" in a sentence?

You can use "a dominant subject" to describe a theme, topic, or element that holds significant influence or importance. For instance, "In the study of social dynamics, power is often seen as "a dominant subject" shaping interactions among individuals."

What are some alternatives to "a dominant subject"?

Alternatives include "a prevailing topic", "a central theme", or "a primary focus", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a dominant subject"?

While grammatically correct, ensure the context justifies the claim of dominance. If the subject's importance is overstated or unclear, consider using a less assertive phrase.

What is the difference between "a dominant subject" and "an important subject"?

"An important subject" simply denotes significance, while ""a dominant subject"" implies that the subject exerts considerable influence or receives substantial attention, setting it apart from other important subjects.