a long-standing subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long-standing subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a topic or issue that has been relevant or discussed for a significant period of time. Example: "The debate over climate change is a long-standing subject in environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Just what names might be and how they relate to things in the world has been a long-standing subject for philosophical discussion and argument.

The New York Times

Detection and identification of military equipment in a strong clutter background, such as foliage, soil cover, or building has been a long-standing subject of intensive study.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The next MR application to harness CS was dynamic cardiac MRI, which has traditionally been a demanding application and a long-standing subject of MR research.

Cancer Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The vast differences in strength, ultimate strain and modulus during high strain rate deformation of materials have been a very long-standing subject of engineering interest.

Composites Part B: Engineering

As a photographer, I sometimes undertake self-assigned projects because of a long-standing interest in a subject or, conversely, because of my total ignorance; the project becomes the means of discovery, of understanding.

The New Yorker

The precision and accuracy of NMR ensembles have been a subject of a long-standing dispute in the field (Spronk et al., 2003).

Bioinformatics

The critic gains a capacity for analysis through a long-standing consuming interest in the subject.

SEP

Social worker caseloads have been a long-standing controversy, and were the subject of a protest Tuesday afternoon outside the county Board of Supervisors' weekly meeting.

Los Angeles Times

If a case subject had a long-standing history of antidiabetes drug use before the index date and/or if the index date was not clear for other reasons, we excluded the case subject.

Diabetes Care

But Gibbs, in the interview, noted that the material at issue was the subject of a "long-standing disagreement" within the government over whether it should be considered classified.

Huffington Post

What I've found over long years of reporting is that people with a strong set of beliefs about a long-standing controversy dismiss all interview subjects and facts they agree with as self-evident.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long-standing subject", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration and relevance of the topic. This helps to emphasize the historical significance or ongoing nature of the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a long-standing subject" for issues that have only recently emerged or gained attention. The phrase implies a history of discussion and relevance, so ensure it aligns with the actual timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long-standing subject" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a topic or issue that has been relevant over a considerable period, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long-standing subject" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe topics or issues that have been relevant and discussed over time. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate for formal contexts, particularly in academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. While there aren't a lot of exact matches, the phrase is considered common, mostly appearing in Science and News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the historical depth and ongoing relevance of the topic. Consider alternatives like "a perennial topic" or "a recurring theme" to better suit the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perennial topic

Replaces 'long-standing' with 'perennial', emphasizing the enduring nature of the topic.

a recurring theme

Shifts the focus to the repetitive nature of the subject's appearance.

an age-old question

Highlights the antiquity of the subject or question.

a long-debated issue

Focuses on the aspect of ongoing debate related to the subject.

a persistent problem

Emphasizes the problematic nature and duration of the subject.

a time-honored theme

Highlights that the theme has been discussed and honoured for a long time.

an enduring matter

Replaces subject with a broader term matter and enduring.

an established topic

Focuses on how well-known the topic is.

a historically significant subject

Highlights that the subject is important from a historical viewpoint.

a perennially relevant issue

Combines the ideas of enduring nature and continuous relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "a long-standing subject" in a sentence?

You can use "a long-standing subject" to describe a topic or issue that has been discussed or debated for an extended period, like: "Climate change is a "long-standing subject" of scientific research".

What are some alternatives to "a long-standing subject"?

Alternatives include "a perennial topic", "a recurring theme", or "an age-old question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a long-standing subject" in formal writing?

Yes, "a long-standing subject" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, or journalistic contexts where the history and duration of an issue are relevant.

What distinguishes "a long-standing subject" from "a current issue"?

"A long-standing subject" implies a history of discussion and relevance, while "a current issue" suggests a topic that is presently receiving attention but may not have a long history.