fixed the subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fixed the subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of clarifying or determining the main topic or focus of a discussion or piece of writing. Example: "After much debate, we finally fixed the subject of our research paper to be climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The first examiner fixed the subject to the Rottometer and carried out the measurements.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The examiner manually fixed the subject's pelvis and moved the hip of the bent leg into as much abduction/external rotation as possible, however, only to a maximum of 45°, measured by the plurimeter, placed at the medial side of the knee.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In order to define ROM at the knee during the test, the examiner manually fixed the subject's pelvis in neutral with one hand, and extended the knees as much as possible, however only to a maximum of minus 10° extension.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To control for attentional effects we fixed the subjects' attention at the screen center using a center task.

Cerebral Cortex

The fundamental assumption that ties enforcing rights and obligations to institutional practice serves to fix the subject matter of inquiry by setting the interpretative problem.

SEP

In addition, with NIRS it is not necessary to fix the subjects' body position accurately, as is required for fMRI or positron emission tomography [27].

Plosone

But naive realists admit that even holding fixed the presented subject-matter there can be variation in the character of experience.

SEP

Although it was eventually fixed, the bug became the subject of controversy and Sinclair was forced to replace some of the ZX81s sold to early customers.

Wikipedia

To test the prediction and variable selection accuracy of RF++ we fixed the number of subjects to 100 and generated 25 test data sets.

Plosone

Dementieva later issued a statement denying that she had intended to imply that the result would be fixed, but the subject still received substantial coverage.

The New York Times

A desire to keep the spotlight fixed on the subject of statewide reform is what prompted the civil liberties group to file suit in 2001 on behalf of children and their parents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fixed the subject", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the fixing. This phrase is most effective when it directly precedes a clarifying statement or action regarding the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "fixed the subject" when you simply mean 'discussed the subject'. The phrase implies a definitive act of clarifying or establishing a topic, not merely talking about it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fixed the subject" is a verb phrase, where 'fixed' is the past tense of the verb 'fix', and 'the subject' functions as the direct object. It indicates an action performed on a specific topic. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fixed the subject" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the clarification or determination of a topic, as Ludwig AI confirms. While its frequency is rare, it finds application across various contexts including science, news and media, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in the context to emphasize the act of specifying the topic rather than mere discussion. Consider alternative phrases such as ""clarified the topic"" or "determined the focus" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarified the topic

Focuses on making the subject clearer, emphasizing understanding rather than determination.

determined the focus

Highlights the act of deciding on the central point, shifting from a general subject to a specific focus.

established the theme

Emphasizes setting the overall topic, particularly in creative or thematic contexts.

defined the matter

Focuses on outlining and specifying the subject at hand.

identified the issue

Highlights recognizing and specifying a problem or matter of concern.

settled on the topic

Implies reaching a consensus or decision about the subject after discussion.

finalized the matter

Suggests completing the decision-making process regarding the subject.

specified the subject

Emphasizes making the subject more precise and detailed.

pinned down the theme

Indicates identifying and clearly defining the core subject.

ascertained the matter

Highlights the act of finding something out for certain about the subject.

FAQs

What does "fixed the subject" mean?

The phrase "fixed the subject" means to clarify or determine the main topic or focus of a discussion, research, or piece of writing. It implies a specific act of defining or establishing the subject matter.

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

You can use it like this: "After much debate, we "clarified the topic" of our research paper". It indicates that a specific topic was definitively chosen.

What can I say instead of "fixed the subject"?

You can use alternatives like ""clarified the topic"", "determined the focus", or "established the theme" depending on the context.

Is "fixed the subject" formal or informal?

The phrase "fixed the subject" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "defined the matter" may be preferred in academic or professional settings.