a recurring subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recurring subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a topic or theme that appears repeatedly in a discussion, text, or context. Example: "In the novel, love is a recurring subject that influences the characters' decisions and relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Depression is a recurring subject.

The New York Times

Gullibility is a recurring subject in this print series.

The New York Times

Gamers are no strangers to politics; indeed, video games are a recurring subject of campaign rhetoric.

The New York Times

A fugue is based on the polyphonic treatment (through extensive melodic imitation) of a recurring subject, or theme.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Benton seemed to have a sense of noblesse oblige in depicting a recurring subject — the American worker.

The New York Times - Books

Alongside surfers, Charles Manson and erect penises, the demon mother movie star Crawford has been a recurring subject.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Jim Morphesis: Time And Desire | Central to this exhibition is a single recurring subject -- the rose -- through which the artist envisions the title, Time And Desire, as a conceptual wellspring.

Huffington Post

And workers' compensation payment has found itself as an increasingly recurring subject of legal consultation.

Huffington Post

By the second set, it had become a recurring theme, usually in terms of subjects' health and wellbeing rather than their domestic responsibilities.

The Guardian

Travel is a recurring theme.

The New Yorker

Movies are a recurring theme.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a recurring subject" to indicate that a particular topic or theme appears multiple times within a body of work or discussion. This highlights the importance or prevalence of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a recurring subject" as a placeholder for more specific descriptions. Instead of stating that something is "a recurring subject", identify the specific instances and their significance to provide richer context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recurring subject" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a recurring subject" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a topic or theme that appears repeatedly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, it's important to use specific language to avoid vagueness, as detailed in the writing guidance. Alternatives like "a repeating subject" or "a frequent subject" can offer nuanced expression. The phrase effectively highlights the importance or prevalence of a subject, making it a useful tool in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recurrent subject

Substitutes "recurring" with "recurrent", maintaining similar meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

a repeating subject

Changes the adjective from "recurring" to "repeating", implying the subject appears multiple times.

a frequent subject

Replaces "recurring" with "frequent", highlighting how often the subject appears.

a regular subject

Emphasizes the consistent and predictable reappearance of the subject.

a persistent topic

Emphasizes the continuous and lasting nature of the subject.

a common theme

Shifts from "subject" to "theme", focusing on the overarching idea rather than the specific topic.

a prevailing theme

Focuses on the dominance and widespread presence of the theme.

a repeated motif

Uses "motif" to emphasize a recurring element, often in artistic or literary contexts.

a familiar topic

Highlights the recognition and widespread knowledge of the subject.

a constant matter

Replaces "subject" with "matter", indicating the consistency of the focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "a recurring subject" to describe a topic or theme that appears multiple times. For example, "In her novels, the loss of innocence is a recurring subject."

What are some alternatives to "a recurring subject"?

Some alternatives include "a repeating subject", "a frequent subject", or "a recurrent subject", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a recurring subject" or "a recurring theme"?

Both "a recurring subject" and "a recurring theme" are correct. "Subject" refers to a topic, while "theme" refers to an underlying idea or message. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "a recurring subject" and "a common subject"?

"A recurring subject" implies that the topic appears multiple times, while "a common subject" simply means that it is widely discussed or known. The former emphasizes repetition, the latter, prevalence.