a topic about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a topic about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a subject or theme that will be discussed or explored further. Example: "The professor introduced a topic about climate change and its impact on global ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

1. Choose a topic about which you are truly passionate.

The New York Times

He has been married twice, a topic about which he has sensibly little to say, and has two children from his first marriage.

The New Yorker

Paradoxically, for an article on a topic about how to focus, the magazine piece — done as a screenplay for no apparent reason — rambles.

The New York Times

Times Example: One way to use this activity is as a warm-up before reading a Times article on a topic about which you know students will have experience and opinions.

The New York Times

Why waste your time with all the knackered posturing, the tee-hee-it's-meant-to-be-annoying irony, the trite stuff about pop's relationship to consumerism, a topic about which he clearly has absolutely nothing novel or interesting to say?

The Guardian - Music

For his ballot initiative, known as Proposition 49, Schwarzenegger chose the issue of after-school programs for students in elementary and junior high schools — a topic about which he was knowledgeable, both from his work with the fitness councils and with the Inner-City Games Foundation, an organization that he had created in 1995.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

So beginning a new work is not a matter of finding a topic to write "about".

The Guardian - Books

We facilitated discussions by using a topic guide about carers' experiences, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs.

British Medical Journal

What surprising facts can you compile about a topic you care about, and how might you display them?

The New York Times

Most people think that you have to have a specified topic about something in order to write a really good song, the fact is that you don't !

WikiHow

He summarizes: "No matter how many randomized clinical trials have been done on a particular topic, about half the clinical trials cite none or only one of them".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a complex subject, use "a topic about" to clearly signal the focus of the subsequent discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a topic about" in very simple sentences where "about" alone suffices. For instance, instead of saying "This is a topic about climate change", you can simply say "This is about climate change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a topic about" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing the subject or theme that is being discussed or considered. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It sets the context for further elaboration, as seen in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a topic about" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces a subject for discussion. As noted by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and general content. While versatile, ensure it's used judiciously, avoiding redundancy in simple sentences. Consider related phrases like "a subject regarding" or "a matter concerning" for nuanced expression. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and widespread usage across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subject regarding

Replaces "topic" with "subject" and "about" with "regarding", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a matter concerning

Substitutes "topic" with "matter" and "about" with "concerning", providing a more serious or formal connotation.

a theme related to

Uses "theme" instead of "topic" and "related to" in place of "about", shifting the focus slightly towards overarching themes.

an issue concerning

Replaces "topic" with "issue" and "about" with "concerning", often used when discussing problems or challenges.

a point regarding

Substitutes "topic" with "point" and "about" with "regarding", suitable when referring to specific points within a broader discussion.

a question concerning

Emphasizes an unresolved problem or something debated.

a theme of

A more succinct way of referring to the general idea.

a discussion on

Highlights that a particular matter is being talked about.

a study of

Indicates an academic matter.

an analysis of

Implies a detailed examination of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a topic about" to introduce a subject that will be discussed or analyzed. For example, "The lecture covered "a topic about" the impact of social media on political campaigns".

What are some alternatives to "a topic about"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a subject regarding", "a matter concerning", or "a theme related to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "a topic about"?

While generally acceptable, using just "about" is often more concise in simple statements. For example, instead of "The book is "a topic about" history", "The book is about history" is clearer.

How does "a topic about" differ from "regarding"?

"A topic about" introduces the general theme, while "regarding" can be more specific. You might say, "We need to discuss "a topic about" education reform, specifically regarding funding issues".