friendly topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friendly topic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subject or theme that is pleasant, approachable, or suitable for casual conversation. Example: "During our meeting, we decided to start with a friendly topic to ease everyone into the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most people are too embarrassed to say they don't know what that means, so the conversation quickly turns to more friendly topics.

The New York Times

Nondegree classes are offered in many areas, from technical subjects to local community history, public speaking, relationships, poetry and other friendly topics.

Huffington Post

One week ago, Trump finally stated his belief that Obama was born in America, without ever actually apologizing for perpetuating the myth ― only to later admit that he was merely trying to move the conversation to more friendly topics.

HuffPost

Then you can start to chat about friendly topics.

WikiHow

Some suggestions include: current news stories, weather, interests and friendly topics such as food, music, movies, books, and sports.

WikiHow

Banking regulation may not be the most voter-friendly topic.

The New York Times

They Might Be Giants, the songwriting team of John Flansburgh and John Linnell (est. 1982), are masters of the bouncy tune and the unlikely, nerd-friendly topic: presidents, palindromes, thermostats, loud clubs, Dr. Evil.

The New York Times

They Might Be Giants, the songwriting team of John Flansburgh and John Linnell (established 1982), are masters of the bouncy tune and the unlikely, nerd-friendly topic: presidents, palindromes, thermostats, loud clubs, Dr. Evil.

The New York Times

If you start to think in these terms, consider changing the subject to a friendlier topic.

WikiHow

The opening song is called Hard Bastards, and covers such school assembly-friendly topics as joblessness, drugged escapism and the brutality of "rich cunts".

The Guardian - Music

But Hogan declined to engage, and the debate soon moved to other, less Brown-friendly topics, like the state's attempt to build a health-care exchange: the site, built under Brown's watch, was an expensive failure.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "friendly topic" to describe subjects suitable for casual discussion, avoiding controversial or sensitive issues.

Common error

Avoid using "friendly topic" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "accessible subject" or "non-technical overview" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friendly topic" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "friendly" modifies the noun "topic". It describes the nature or quality of the topic being discussed.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "friendly topic" is grammatically correct but lacks real-world examples in the provided data. Ludwig AI indicates it's a valid phrase. It serves to describe a subject suitable for easy conversation, creating a welcoming atmosphere. While understandable in various contexts, formal settings may benefit from more specific alternatives. Its frequency is currently assessed as 'Missing' due to the absence of examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amiable subject

Replaces "friendly" with "amiable", suggesting a pleasant and agreeable subject.

approachable theme

Substitutes "friendly" with "approachable" and "topic" with "theme", emphasizing ease of understanding and discussion.

pleasant matter

Replaces "friendly" with "pleasant" and "topic" with "matter", highlighting the agreeable nature of the subject.

lighthearted issue

Changes "friendly" to "lighthearted" and "topic" to "issue", suggesting a less serious and more cheerful subject.

easygoing subject matter

Replaces "friendly" with "easygoing" and "topic" with "subject matter", emphasizing the relaxed nature of the topic.

uncontroversial subject

Focuses on the lack of potential conflict by using "uncontroversial" instead of "friendly".

agreeable theme

Highlights the consensus-building aspect with "agreeable" replacing "friendly".

non-offensive topic

Emphasizes the avoidance of causing offense by specifying "non-offensive".

inoffensive subject

Similar to "non-offensive topic", but uses "inoffensive" instead.

safe topic

Implies a topic that is not risky or likely to cause problems.

FAQs

How can I introduce a "friendly topic" in a conversation?

You can start by asking open-ended questions about general interests, current events, or shared experiences to ease into a "pleasant matter".

What's the difference between a "friendly topic" and a controversial one?

A "friendly topic" is generally safe, inoffensive, and unlikely to spark disagreement, while a controversial topic often involves strong opinions and potential for conflict.

What are some examples of a "friendly topic"?

Examples include hobbies, travel experiences, recent movies or books, or local community events, anything that is generally "uncontroversial subject" and enjoyable to discuss.

When is it appropriate to switch from a "friendly topic" to a more serious one?

It's appropriate to transition when you've established a comfortable rapport and sense that the other person is receptive to deeper conversation. Avoid abrupt shifts that might feel jarring.