determine the subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine the subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as grammar, research, or analysis when identifying the main topic or focus of a sentence or discussion. Example: "In order to write a clear thesis statement, you must first determine the subject of your paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We might say that the assumption that connects enforcement to institutional practice fixes but does not determine the subject matter of legal theory.

SEP

In this paper, we present an initial study to determine the subject preferences for educational computer games for children, in which 150 education professionals participated.

Computers & Education

To clip and organize the video feeds, 1CAST deploys proprietary software that analyzes closed captioning data attached to the video feeds to determine the subject and theme of the videos.

Forbes

An independent consultancy company provides an online lens calculator based on the standards of the Home Office, LensCalc (CCTV Advisory Service, 2008), to help determine the subject distance required to achieve specified subject heights for different combinations of sensor size, subject height, and lens focal length (see Table 1).

Visualization in Engineering

By analyzing sound waves, software can supposedly determine the subject's mental state.

Forbes

The Sprinkles app leverages Microsoft's machine learning and A.I. capabilities to do things like detect faces in photos, determine the subject's age and emotion, figure out your celebrity look-a-like, and suggest captions.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They drew blood after the second and third shots to determine the subjects' immune response to the vaccine by measuring blood levels of hepatitis B antibodies.

The New York Times

The applicability of the proposed technique is demonstrated by extracting an atlas of network hubs for a population of typically developing controls (TDCs) as well as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and using the structural and functional networks of a population to determine the subject-level variation of these hubs and their inter-connectivity.

Medical Image Analysis

Last week, more than 100,000 people took part in a poll on Yahoo! to determine the subjects to be covered in the Mashup.

Huffington Post

In order to avoid observational bias from laboratory in our study, the laboratory technicians were blinded and were unable to determine the subjects' group and to link any NPS with corresponding NTA specimen.

Plosone

Subjects were then tested for pulmonary function and samples were taken to determine the subjects metabolic and airway inflammatory states.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use "determine the subject" to clearly guide the reader in identifying the topic they need to focus on.

Common error

Ensure you're using "subject" to refer to the topic at hand, not confusing it with grammatical objects in a sentence. "Subject" in this context is about identifying the main focus, not a recipient of an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine the subject" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It indicates the action of identifying or establishing the main topic or focus. Ludwig AI shows its usability in various contexts, from academic research to practical instructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine the subject" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that directs the reader to identify the primary topic. Ludwig AI examples showcase that it appears across diverse fields, primarily in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. The phrase's neutral tone and clear meaning make it suitable for various writing styles. Related alternatives include "identify the topic" or "establish the focus". Understanding when and how to use this phrase, as well as its common pitfalls, enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify the topic

Replaces "subject" with "topic", a synonym with a slightly broader application.

ascertain the theme

Uses a more formal verb, "ascertain", and substitutes "theme" for "subject", implying a deeper analysis.

establish the focus

Replaces "subject" with "focus", shifting the emphasis to the central point of attention.

define the matter

Employs "define" instead of "determine", suggesting a more precise delimitation of the scope.

pinpoint the issue

Uses "pinpoint" to emphasize the act of precisely identifying the subject or problem.

discern the theme

Utilizes the verb "discern", which implies careful observation and deduction to understand the theme.

deduce the topic

Implies a reasoning process to understand the topic from some given facts.

settle on the subject

Emphasizes the finality of the subject matter, implying a choice or decision.

figure out the topic

Replaces "determine" with the more informal "figure out", suggesting a less formal investigation.

work out the theme

Uses "work out", suggesting a process of figuring out what is the theme.

FAQs

What does "determine the subject" mean?

To "determine the subject" means to identify or establish the main topic or focus of something, such as a discussion, study, or piece of writing. It involves figuring out what is being talked about or analyzed.

How can I use "determine the subject" in a sentence?

You can use "determine the subject" in sentences like: "Before starting the research, we need to "identify the topic"", "The first step in writing an essay is to "establish the focus"", or "The software analyzes video feeds to "ascertain the theme"".

What are some alternatives to "determine the subject"?

Alternatives to "determine the subject" include phrases like "identify the topic", "establish the focus", "ascertain the theme", or "define the matter". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "determine the subject matter" or "determine the subject"?

"Determine the subject matter" is slightly more formal and specific, implying a more in-depth consideration of the topic. "Determine the subject" is generally suitable for most contexts, but "determine the subject matter" might be preferred in academic or formal writing. It depends on context and if you want to express in a more detailed manner the subject.