a study of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a study of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce the object of a study or research project. For example, "This paper is a study of the impact of air pollution on public health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A study of the artist's life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A study of the artist's intentions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I make a study of them.

The New York Times

A study of 200 pairs.

Nature

A study of Swedish startups.

Harvard Business Review

A study of 30 patients.

Nature

A study of cell proliferation.

Nature

A study of 344 firms.

Harvard Business Review

A study of business students.

Harvard Business Review

It's a study of a marriage.

The Guardian - Books

A Study of Rural India.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a study of" with specific parameters to refine your research question. For example, instead of "a study of social media", try "a study of social media's impact on teenage self-esteem".

Common error

Avoid using "a study of" with topics that are too broad to be meaningfully analyzed within your constraints. Narrow down your focus to something manageable like "a study of consumer behavior in online markets" rather than simply "a study of consumer behavior".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a study of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a prepositional complement. It introduces the subject or focus of an investigation, analysis, or research project. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

36%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a study of" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile phrase used to introduce the subject of research, analysis, or investigation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, including academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. While "a study of" is widely applicable, it's important to define a scope of the topic to make the research focused. Alternatives such as "an examination of" or "an analysis of" offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis. By understanding its function and contexts, writers can effectively use "a study of" to set the stage for their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an examination of

Focuses on a detailed inspection or investigation, often emphasizing scrutiny.

an analysis of

Highlights a systematic breakdown and interpretation of a subject.

an investigation into

Emphasizes a formal or systematic inquiry.

a review of

Implies a critical assessment or survey of a topic.

research on

Highlights the scientific exploration of a subject.

an exploration of

Suggests a broad and open-ended investigation.

a survey of

Focuses on gathering data from a sample to understand a larger population or trend.

a detailed account of

Implies a comprehensive and thorough description.

an assessment of

Focuses on evaluating the value or quality of something.

a close look at

Suggests a careful and attentive observation.

FAQs

How can I use "a study of" in a sentence?

You can use "a study of" to introduce the main focus of a research project or analysis. For example, "This paper presents a study of the effects of climate change on coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "a study of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an examination of", "an analysis of", or "an investigation into".

Is it better to use "a study of" or "an analysis of"?

The choice between "a study of" and "an analysis of" depends on the specific context. "A study of" is a broader term, while "an analysis of" implies a more detailed and systematic examination.

What kind of topics are suitable for "a study of"?

"A study of" is suitable for a wide range of topics, including social issues, scientific phenomena, historical events, and literary works. It is used to introduce any subject being investigated or analyzed.