a useful subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useful subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a topic or area of study that provides practical knowledge or skills. Example: "In today's lecture, we will discuss a useful subject that can help you in your future career."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

City planning–[city] is also a useful subject heading.

Columbia University

He said it was no longer a useful subject in the national dialogue; we're over it, or should be.

The New York Times - Arts

How Israel's occupation squares with the ICRC's own definition of the term would be a useful subject for the state parties.

The Washington Post

Accurate non-destructive leaf area estimation is a useful subject of study for the fields of applied plant science, physiology and plant genetic engineering.

Scientia Horticulturae

5 years for their degree (or six if you intercalate and take a useful subject like, say, History of Medicine), 2 years for a post-graduate foundation course, and then 3 to 8 years in specialist training.

The Guardian

Peacock believed that in order for symbolical algebra to be a useful subject its laws had to be closely related to those of arithmetical algebra.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Now Leo Kuper, professor emeritus at the University of Southern California, has published a useful study of the subject, with extensive historical detail in an analytical framework.

The New York Times - Books

Yoga is a useful discipline for the aging subject.

NPG Neurologie - Psychiatrie - Gériatrie

Or maybe it's just never been a particularly useful subject to take and the class of 2013, has seen the light and gone for more practical choices instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he conceded: "Bogs have proved an attractive and useful subject for planting.

Los Angeles Times

Thermodynamics, a mathematical and profoundly useful subject, is the underlying physical science of cryobiology.

Cryobiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing academic courses or areas of study, use "a useful subject" to highlight the practical benefits and skills students can gain. This can emphasize the real-world value of the education.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree to which a subject is "useful". Ensure your claim is supported by evidence or specific examples of its practical applications. Otherwise, consider softening the statement to "potentially useful" or "moderately useful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a useful subject" acts as a noun phrase, where the adjective "useful" modifies the noun "subject". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English to denote a topic or area of study that offers practical knowledge or skills.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

26%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a useful subject" is grammatically sound and serves to denote a topic or area of study with practical applications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While the phrase is considered rare in occurrence, it maintains consistency across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, ensure that the usefulness is adequately supported by evidence and that the context aligns with the intended message. Alternatives such as "a practical subject" or "a beneficial subject" may be employed to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beneficial subject

Replaces "useful" with "beneficial", emphasizing the positive impact or advantage of the subject.

a practical subject

Substitutes "useful" with "practical", highlighting the subject's relevance to real-world applications.

a valuable subject

Replaces "useful" with "valuable", stressing the subject's worth or importance.

a helpful subject

Substitutes "useful" with "helpful", indicating the subject's capacity to provide assistance or support.

a relevant subject

Replaces "useful" with "relevant", emphasizing the subject's connection to a specific situation or context.

an advantageous subject

Substitutes "useful" with "advantageous", highlighting the subject's potential to confer benefits or gains.

an applicable subject

Replaces "useful" with "applicable", stressing the subject's suitability for a particular purpose or use.

a worthwhile subject

Substitutes "useful" with "worthwhile", emphasizing that the subject is rewarding or deserving of attention.

a productive subject

Replaces "useful" with "productive", highlighting the subject's ability to generate results or insights.

an instrumental subject

Replaces "useful" with "instrumental", emphasizing the subject's role as a means to achieve a particular end.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe something as "a useful subject"?

Describing something as "a useful subject" means it provides practical knowledge or skills that can be applied in real-world situations. It suggests that learning or studying the subject has tangible benefits.

What are some alternatives to saying "a useful subject"?

You can use alternatives like "a beneficial subject", "a practical subject", or "a valuable subject" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "a useful subject" in a sentence?

You can use "a useful subject" to describe a course, area of study, or topic that provides practical benefits. For example, "Mathematics is often considered a useful subject for future scientists and engineers."

Is it correct to say "a useful subject" or should I use another article?

The phrase "a useful subject" is grammatically correct. The article "a" is appropriate because "useful" begins with a consonant sound.