general topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general topic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a broad subject that can be broken down into more specific sub-topics. For example, "The general topic of our discussion today is the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today's young people know more about the general topic of religion than my generation, but less about Christianity in particular.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were given no details, no title, just the general topic.

The New York Times - Books

On the general topic of overregulation, Mr. Walcott said: "I don't feel that the department is micromanaging at all.

The New York Times

"The general topic of conversation over there was what outrageous thing Nancy did this week," said one of these friends.

The New York Times

Their cozy personal chat then segued into the general topic of homelessness and snapped quickly into political observation.

The New York Times

The other two stories involved editors essentially asking the reporters if there might be an enterprise story in some rather general topic.

The New York Times

The general topic was live performance versus studio recording, and Lemken, ever the skeptic, asked whether anyone had ever recorded a Hatto live performance.

The New Yorker

Way back in 2006, RR had a general topic of songs about songs, but aside that short list, your remaining mood board is broad and colourful.

The Guardian - Music

| The first televised general topic debate for the Democratic nomination that features all seven main mayoral candidates can be seen tonight at 7 p.m. on NY1.

The New York Times

Rather, he said, the specific examples and the general topic areas were drawn from a deep well of research by others.

The New York Times

The host of the summit meeting, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, has put on the table the general topic of an alternative policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a "general topic", immediately follow with specific details to give your audience context and focus.

Common error

Avoid using "general topic" as a placeholder without intending to specify it later. Be clear about the subject you're addressing to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general topic" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly identifies a broad area of discussion. Examples from Ludwig show it introducing subject matter in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general topic" is a versatile noun phrase used to introduce broad subject areas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While highly prevalent, it's crucial to follow its introduction with specific details to provide context and focus. Alternatives such as "overall subject" or "main theme" can add nuance, but "general topic" remains a reliable and commonly understood way to set the stage for a discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall subject

Focuses on the entirety of what is being discussed.

main theme

Emphasizes the central idea or concept.

broad subject

Highlights the extensive scope of the topic.

subject matter

Stresses the content under consideration.

thematic area

Highlights the categorization of the subject.

area of interest

Focuses on what is attracting attention or study.

topic at hand

Points to the current subject under discussion.

central theme

Emphasizes the core topic.

subject in question

Refers to a specific topic being examined.

overarching topic

Indicates a topic that encompasses many subtopics.

FAQs

How can I use "general topic" in a sentence?

You can use "general topic" to refer to a broad subject area, like "The "general topic" of the meeting was climate change".

What's a good substitute for "general topic"?

Alternatives include "overall subject", "main theme", or "broad subject" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a topic general" instead of "general topic"?

No, the correct and more common phrasing is "general topic". The adjective "general" typically precedes the noun it modifies.

What's the difference between "general topic" and "specific topic"?

"General topic" refers to a broad subject area, while "specific topic" refers to a narrow, focused aspect of that area. For example, the "general topic" might be "environmental conservation", while a specific topic could be "reducing plastic waste".