its main subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its main subject" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the primary topic or focus of a discussion, text, or piece of work. Example: "In the analysis of the novel, its main subject revolves around the theme of identity and self-discovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Even the relatively compassionate flat-Earther documentary hosted on Netflix, Behind the Curve, couldn't help itself when it came to making fun of its main subject, Mark Sargent, an internationally renowned proponent for the movement.

The Guardian - Opinion

He composed it in the late fifties, after having published three novels, and its main subject is his frustrated efforts and ongoing plans to write another, vastly ambitious set of novels (for which, in effect, the book serves as an advertisement or trailer).

The New Yorker

We're its main subject.

The New York Times - Arts

Now its main subject is terrorist financing.

The Economist

Ms. Béart said that the tsunami itself was not its main subject.

The New York Times

Despite its main subject matter, this is still a richly comic novel.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's often said that "My Struggle" is a book about banality, domesticity, and everydayness, but those aren't its main subjects.

The New Yorker

The officer was taking Garner in for selling loose tobacco cigarettes, the kind of "order maintenance" policing that makes many of its main subjects — young African-American and Latino men — hate the police.

The New York Times - Books

After participating in the documentary Born This Way as one of its main subjects, he came under severe threats for which he received asylum to the United States.

Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- After three years of speculation and plenty of criticism from its main subjects, HBO's "Game Change" premiered in Washington on Thursday at the Newseum before a packed audience of more than 200 political and media heavyweights.

Huffington Post

As all shows must, this one has to be a sort of valentine to its main subjects -- hard to imagine the logic of spending oodles, inviting everyone to your party and then confessing the food and music are so-so.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "its main subject", ensure that the possessive pronoun "its" clearly refers back to a specific noun mentioned earlier in the sentence or paragraph to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse the possessive pronoun "its" (belonging to it) with the contraction "it's" (it is). Using "it's main subject" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its main subject" functions as a noun phrase, where 'its' acts as a possessive adjective modifying the noun phrase 'main subject'. It typically serves as the subject complement or object of a preposition, identifying the central topic or theme.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "its main subject" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the central topic or focus of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various contexts, primarily in news and media and scientific writing. Be mindful of the distinction between the possessive pronoun "its" and the contraction "it's". When writing, ensure clarity by making the referent of “its” explicit. While many alternative phrases exist, such as "its primary topic" or "its central theme", "its main subject" remains a clear and direct way to indicate the core subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

its primary topic

Replaces "subject" with "topic", indicating a slight shift towards a more general area of discussion.

its central theme

Substitutes "subject" with "theme", emphasizing a recurring idea or message.

its focus

Replaces "main subject" with a single word, "focus", for brevity, highlighting the core point of attention.

the subject it primarily concerns

Uses a more verbose structure to describe the area of concern, adding emphasis.

the principal focus of its attention

Replaces "main subject" with "principal focus of its attention" for a more formal tone.

the main theme it explores

Emphasizes the exploratory aspect of the subject, highlighting the themes it delves into.

its principal concern

Similar to primary topic, but highlights the element of concern, worry, or interest.

what it's chiefly about

Uses a more informal phrasing to indicate the central point.

its primary area of interest

Focuses on the aspect of interest, suggesting the subject is something that attracts attention.

the core of its discussion

Highlights that the subject is at the core of a specific discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "its main subject" in a sentence?

You can use "its main subject" to refer to the central topic or focus of something. For example, "The article explores climate change, with "its main subject" being the impact on coastal communities".

What phrases are similar to "its main subject"?

Alternatives include phrases like "its primary topic", "its central theme", or "its focus" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "it's main subject" instead of "its main subject"?

No, "it's main subject" is incorrect. "Its" is the possessive form of "it", while "it's" is a contraction of "it is". The correct phrase is ""its main subject"".

What is the difference between "its main subject" and "the main subject"?

"Its main subject" refers to the primary topic belonging to a specific entity or thing, whereas "the main subject" refers to the central topic in a more general sense, without specifying ownership or association.