a topic to which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a topic to which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific subject or theme that is being discussed or analyzed. Example: "The research paper focuses on a topic to which many scholars have contributed over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

And conveniently he is addressing a topic to which I was about to turn my attention.

The Guardian - Sport

For Deutsch, optimism — a topic to which he devotes a chapter — is "the theory that all failures — all evils — are due to insufficient knowledge".

The New Yorker

This page has called for the city to open up this area to commercial and residential development, a topic to which we will return from time to time.

The New York Times

Sprint, for now, seems to be generating the most trade-ins, a topic to which I'll return in a future column.

The Guardian

The UK's national debt in January 2012 stood at £988.7bn – excluding bank bailouts, a topic to which we will return later.

The Guardian

This makes sense when the writer is commenting on a topic to which he or she has professional expertise or the writer's affiliation is significant to the topic.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In MQTT messages are assigned to a specific topic to which users can subscribe.

Information Systems

What an important topic to which we're relegating a relatively short amount of words!

Huffington Post

After all, in these cases, mathematical, scientific and ordinary languages do not seem to be taken literally a topic to which I turn now.

SEP

Finally, every assessment is complicated by the lack of agreement over what can and should be explained under the heading of 'cumulative' cultural change a topic to which we shall return in the next section.

Biology and Philosophy

Yet it is typical, especially in treatises which are introductory to a topic, to have principles which serve a logical and explanatory role, but also to have principles whose only explicit role is pedagogical.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a topic to which" in formal writing when you want to clearly indicate a connection or relevance between a subject and a subsequent point or discussion. It's particularly effective in academic or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a topic to which" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "a topic that" or directly stating the connection are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a topic to which" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing a relative clause that modifies a noun. It indicates a connection or relationship between the preceding noun (the topic) and the subsequent clause. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a topic to which" is a grammatically sound and correct way to link a subject with related information, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's best suited for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts, where establishing clear connections is important. While effective in these settings, it should be used sparingly in informal contexts where simpler phrasing is more appropriate. Considering alternative phrases like "a subject that" or "an issue that" can also improve clarity and naturalness in different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subject to which

Replaces "topic" with "subject", a direct synonym.

an issue to which

Substitutes "topic" with "issue", implying a problem or matter of concern.

a matter to which

Replaces "topic" with "matter", suggesting something under consideration.

an area to which

Changes "topic" to "area", broadening the scope to a field or domain.

a point to which

Substitutes "topic" with "point", focusing on a specific idea or argument.

a theme to which

Replaces "topic" with "theme", highlighting an underlying idea or motif.

a question to which

Changes "topic" to "question", framing it as an inquiry to be answered.

a concept to which

Substitutes "topic" with "concept", emphasizing a theoretical idea.

a field to which

Replaces "topic" with "field", focusing on an area of study or activity.

a theme that

Uses a more concise relative clause, replacing "to which" with "that".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a topic to which" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "a subject that", "an issue that", or directly stating the connection depending on the context for enhanced clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "a topic to which"?

The phrase "a topic to which" is best suited for formal writing, academic papers, and analytical discussions where a clear and precise connection between ideas is essential.

Is "a topic to which" interchangeable with "a topic that"?

While similar, "a topic to which" often implies a more formal and deliberate connection than "a topic that". The choice depends on the desired tone and level of formality in your writing.

What are some common synonyms for "a topic to which"?

Synonyms include "a matter to which", "an area to which", or phrases that directly express relevance or connection without using "to which".