a small topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small topic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a subject or issue that is minor or not complex in nature. Example: "During the meeting, we only had time to discuss a small topic related to the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When a small topic becomes the focus for a large amount of opinion-expressing, outrage, debate and controversy, that's because people are enjoying themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

The director told Vulture that male studio executives told her anorexia was "such a small topic," requiring three female producers to get it made.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For topics that really interest you, take a smaller topic that particularly stands out to you.

WikiHow

No small topic there.

The Guardian - Books

Human tragedy is no small topic to take on".

The Guardian - Arts

It can be argued that the choice of T is ultimately an arbitrary one driven by the research questions and the intended use of the resulting topic model; small topic numbers will result in semantically broad topics, with increasing topic numbers, those broader topics will be split in semantically more refined topics.

Forest Ecosystems

In LBL, lectures break down the difficult subjects of neurology into small topics, logically organize them in a relatively clear hierarchy, and present them systematically.

BMC Medical Education

From the small, topic-specific conference, I was able to make and renew a number of contacts in my field with professors on the cutting edge of research.

Science Magazine

In terms of topic mixtures, in practice and also supported by our data, an item is usually a mixture of a small number of topics, thus our tests focus on testing topic mixtures from two topics.

Computational Social Networks

But as Fluke points out, the issues will go far beyond corporate personhood, insurance requirements and the healthcare law – no small topics of debate themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Students often gave short talks in his class, developing small topics and presenting them to the other students.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small topic", ensure the context clarifies why the topic is considered small – is it in scope, importance, or complexity? This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small topic" when the subject actually holds significant weight or complexity. This can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small topic" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "topic". It is used to identify a subject or area of discussion that is limited in scope or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

44%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small topic" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that indicates a subject of limited scope or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in various writing contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and general writing, conveying that a particular subject is not extensive or complex. When employing this phrase, ensure the context makes it clear why the topic is "small", avoiding overstatement or misrepresentation of the subject's significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor subject

Replaces "topic" with "subject", indicating a less significant area of discussion.

a limited subject

Emphasizes the restricted scope of the topic being discussed.

a narrow topic

Highlights the focused and specific nature of the topic.

a brief subject

Indicates a topic that requires little time or attention.

a concise topic

Suggests a topic that is straightforward and to the point.

a simple topic

Implies the topic is not complex or difficult to understand.

a basic topic

Indicates a fundamental or introductory level of discussion.

a trivial matter

Highlights the insignificance or unimportance of the topic.

a side issue

Suggests the topic is peripheral and not central to the main discussion.

a passing thought

Implies the topic is fleeting and not worth dwelling on.

FAQs

How can I use "a small topic" in a sentence?

You can use "a small topic" to refer to a subject that is minor or not complex. For example: "During the meeting, we only had time to discuss "a small topic" related to the project timeline."

What can I say instead of "a small topic"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor subject", "a limited subject", or "a narrow topic" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "a small topic" or "a minor topic"?

Both phrases are correct, but they may have slightly different connotations. "A small topic" emphasizes the scope, while "a minor topic" emphasizes the importance.

What's the difference between "a small topic" and "a side issue"?

"A small topic" simply indicates a subject of limited scope, while "a side issue" suggests a topic that is peripheral to the main discussion.