change topics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "change topics" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a shift in conversation or discussion from one subject to another. Example: "After discussing the budget for an hour, I think it's time to change topics and talk about our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Sometimes he will change topics altogether.

The New York Times - Magazine

What I think he meant is that if you can't figure out a believable way to make your character willingly enter an exotic and dangerous situation, and you don't want to resort to the kind of randomness with which things like violence or romance happen in real life, then use what you've got but change topics as quickly as possible.

The New York Times - Books

The fact remains there are large uncertainties and intense debate among scientists on this and other climate change topics, even if, as has been said, 97 per cent agree that the world is warming and that humans are partly to blame.

The Guardian

And there are a variety of commands to mute groups, change topics, list other members, etc.

TechCrunch

A discussant, who was not participating in the scenario planning process, stated that it would be important to focus not only on climate change topics, but also to embed discussion into "the bigger frame" of society and to focus on nature-society interrelations.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Take deep breaths, exercise self control, and change topics.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

LF: I hate to change topic, but what are you working on next, Nicole?

The Guardian - Film

But (probably desperate to change topic) we also talked about some relatively recent evidence for pieces of supernova impacting the Earth about 2.5 million years ago.

The Guardian

When he starts to talk inappropriate, change topic or stop talking to him.

WikiHow

If participants are still heated or argumentative, change topic to the next question.

WikiHow

As if to demonstrate the different scales at work here, the Twitter blog post then changed topics to its efforts to block bots and suspicious activity platform-wide.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "change topics" can be used to show a character's discomfort or desire to avoid a particular subject, adding depth to their personality.

Common error

Don't abruptly "change topics" without any transition. This can make the conversation feel disjointed and may confuse your audience. Provide a clear signal or bridge between subjects to maintain coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change topics" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of altering the subject of discussion or conversation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct, and it appears across a wide array of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "change topics" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating a shift in conversation or discussion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and finds usage across various contexts, from news articles and wiki guides to scientific publications. While "change topics" is broadly acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "switch subjects" or "shift focus" may be suitable for professional or academic settings. When using the phrase, ensure a smooth transition to avoid disrupting the flow of conversation. Also consider exploring our FAQ for other ways to improve your linguistic and writing skills!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switch subjects

Implies a direct and immediate shift in the focus of conversation or discussion.

shift focus

Suggests a redirection of attention from one subject to another.

divert the conversation

Highlights an attempt to lead the discussion away from a specific point.

move on to another subject

Indicates a decision to leave the current topic and start discussing something new.

change the subject matter

Refers to altering the main idea or content being discussed.

veer off-topic

Suggests a sudden and often unintended departure from the original subject.

transition to a new topic

Implies a smooth and deliberate change from one subject to another.

redirect the discussion

Focuses on guiding the conversation in a different direction.

alter the theme

Signifies a modification of the central subject or idea.

bring up another matter

Highlights the introduction of a new subject for consideration.

FAQs

How can I gracefully use "change topics" in a conversation?

You can use phrases like "That's an interesting point, but perhaps we should "move on to another subject"" or "Before we get too deep into that, let's "shift focus" to..." to signal a change in the conversation's direction.

What is a more formal way to say "change topics"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "transition to a new topic" or "address a different matter" instead of simply saying "change topics".

Is it ever inappropriate to "change topics"?

It can be inappropriate to "change topics" if someone is sharing something personal or important. Make sure you're not interrupting or invalidating their feelings by abruptly shifting the conversation.

What are some subtle ways to "change topics" without being too direct?

You could try asking a related question that gradually leads the conversation in a new direction, or you can acknowledge the current topic briefly before steering towards a different, but related, area. For example, say something like "That reminds me of..." before you "divert the conversation".