a topical case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a topical case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a case or example that is relevant to current events or issues being discussed. Example: "In our discussion about climate change, we will examine a topical case that highlights the impact of rising sea levels on coastal communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A topical case in point is that of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, targeted by fascislamists and African tribalists for her defense of women against the multicultural relativism that enables "honor killings" or other crimes by Muslim immigrants on European soil.

Huffington Post

Policymakers at the highest level in the Ministry of Health were consulted during the development of the research project, and the Health Care Law was chosen as a topical case of policy implementation in one of the sub-projects.

Health Policy and Planning

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Like "Law & Order," each episode concerns a single topical case: there's the former member of Parliament who's threatening to publish his memoirs, exposing the treachery of a highly placed government minister; there's the British cabinet member working for the C.I.A.

The New York Times - Arts

Henvinet adopted the DPSEEA framework, informed by developments in integrated environmental health impact assessment[ 7], and used it also as a communication tool in all the topical case studies [ 10- 16].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Intended to inspire better leaders for a better world, this site contains leadership editorial, CEO profiles, and topical case studies designed for CEOs by CEOs.

Forbes

Topical case in point: Facebook has continued to claim there was nothing improper about the fact millions of people's information was shared with professor Aleksandr Kogan.

TechCrunch

Offers an up-to-date assessment of the detailed process involved in the technological development of the digital recording industry, featuring a number of topical cases and examples including Napster, Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Springer

Still, this wasn't just an average case-of-the-week: this was Olivia Pope and company attempting to fix the topical cases that have led to such movements as #BlackLivesMatter.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Apart from the typical interview questions, I was also tested on my understanding of simple mechanical devices (both pictorial representations and written descriptions) and asked my opinions on a topical issue, in my case, genetically modified foods.

Science Magazine

She has developed three treatments: a topical ointment for minor cases, an IV therapy for life-threatening cases and a prophylactic or preventive treatment.

The New York Times - Science

This result associates evolved resistance to a single AMP, as would be the case in a topical application, with enhanced survival in the face of an AMP-dependent immune response.

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a topical case", ensure the case is genuinely relevant to the discussion's current context to avoid appearing forced or irrelevant.

Common error

Avoid using "a topical case" simply as filler. If the case doesn't directly and significantly relate to the ongoing discussion, it can confuse or distract your audience.

Linguistic Context

"A topical case" functions as a noun phrase, serving to identify a specific instance that is currently relevant or of interest. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English, exemplified by its appearance in sources like Huffington Post and TechCrunch.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a topical case" is a noun phrase used to refer to an example or situation that is currently relevant or of interest. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, with a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the chosen case directly relates to the discussion at hand to avoid irrelevance. While "a relevant instance" or "a pertinent example" can serve as alternatives, "a topical case" emphasizes the newsworthiness of the instance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relevant instance

Replaces "topical" with "relevant", focusing on the pertinence of the instance.

a pertinent example

Uses "pertinent" instead of "topical", emphasizing the direct relevance of the example.

a current matter

Shifts the focus from "case" to "matter", highlighting the present-day relevance.

a timely situation

Replaces "case" with "situation" and "topical" with "timely", emphasizing the importance of the moment.

a noteworthy incident

Changes "case" to "incident", suggesting an event deserving attention due to its relevance.

a significant illustration

Uses "illustration" instead of "case", focusing on the clarifying aspect of the example and using "significant" for emphasis.

a contemporary issue

Replaces "case" with "issue", highlighting a problem of current times.

an up-to-date example

Uses "up-to-date" instead of "topical", emphasizing the newness of the example.

a fashionable topic

Uses "fashionable" instead of "topical", implying something currently popular or trending.

a trending subject

Substitutes "case" for "subject", focusing on the theme; the term "trending" means it is currently popular.

FAQs

How can I use "a topical case" in a sentence?

You can use "a topical case" to introduce an example that is relevant to current events. For instance, "In the discussion about data privacy, "a topical case" involves the recent data breach at a major social media company".

What can I say instead of "a topical case"?

Alternatives to "a topical case" include "a relevant instance", "a pertinent example", or "a current matter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a topical case" or "a relevant case"?

"A topical case" emphasizes the current relevance or newsworthiness of the case, while "a relevant case" simply indicates that the case is applicable to the discussion. The best choice depends on whether you want to stress the timeliness of the example.

What makes "a topical case" different from "a classic case"?

"A topical case" refers to something currently in the news or of present interest, whereas "a classic case" describes a well-established or archetypal example, regardless of its current relevance.