looming subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looming subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a topic or issue that is imminent or likely to become significant in the near future. Example: "The looming subject of climate change demands our immediate attention and action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Stephen Prina The Second Sentence of Everything I Read Is You Friedrich Petzel 535 West 22nd Street, Chelsea Through Dec. 23 The means of distribution -- also known as the market -- is a looming subject in the art world these days, and Allan McCollum and Stephen Prina have clearly been giving it some thought.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Holocaust remains a looming, tragic subject, but that doesn't stop artist after artist from exploiting it while supposedly invoking themes of trauma and collective memory.

The New York Times - Arts

Political leaders and senior Federal Reserve officials attended, and the subject was looming risks to the financial system.

The New York Times

The arrows continue to point up for him and Mr. Colbert; their ratings were both up over the past year, and with an election looming — the richest of subjects for the most topical of hosts — the prospects are good for even more increases.

The New York Times - Arts

IN THE lulls between roaring fighter jets, a familiar subject loomed over the Paris air show last weekend: the future of Airbus.

The Economist

What interests me now and what I did not think much about during the rehearsal was that although Kafka's story is not about capital punishment, the subject loomed over our work.

The New York Times - Arts

Gibson, with his large frame, sonorous voice, and reading glasses perched low on his nose, loomed over his subject, presenting an unfortunate image of male professorial condescension as he ticked through foreign-policy issues that he clearly knew better than Palin did.

The New Yorker

The play makes points about scapegoated minorities (represented by wolves, who are suspected of blowing down homes and subject to a looming Anti-Predator Act) but never belabors them.

The New York Times

We go back in because our fear leads us to mistake our own shadow for that of a looming mayoral hand, about to subject us to the terrors that previous Chucks — from Charlemagne G. Hogg the Confused to Charlotte G. Hogg the Jumper — have endured.

The New Yorker

With the looming presidential race and the subject of the interview relating so directly to a declared candidate, it was incumbent upon Stephanopoulos to conduct an objective interview.

Huffington Post

Sample size was determined by examining prior auditory looming studies that used between-subjects variables.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming subject" to create a sense of anticipation or foreboding. This phrase is effective when you want to emphasize the importance and potential impact of a topic that is about to become significant.

Common error

Avoid using "looming subject" in informal or trivial situations. This phrase carries a serious tone and is best reserved for matters of genuine importance or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looming subject" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "looming" modifies the noun "subject". It describes a topic that is about to become important or is perceived as a threat. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looming subject" is a phrase used to describe an issue or topic that is about to become significant, often with a sense of foreboding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound expression, albeit relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to emphasize the imminence and potential impact of a subject, making it suitable for formal contexts such as news reports and academic discussions. While there are several alternatives like "impending matter" or "emerging issue", "looming subject" specifically conveys a sense of anticipation or threat that sets it apart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending matter

Emphasizes the imminence and potential impact of the subject.

approaching topic

Focuses on the subject drawing nearer in time or relevance.

emerging issue

Highlights the subject's recent appearance and growing significance.

gathering problem

Suggests a problem that is accumulating and becoming more pronounced.

threatening question

Conveys a sense of danger or unease associated with the subject.

pending theme

Implies the subject is awaiting further attention or resolution.

shadowy area

Suggests the subject is not well-defined and might be of concern.

developing concern

Focuses on the subject's evolution into a matter of worry.

brewing crisis

Highlights a negative impending subject.

burgeoning discussion

Focuses on the rapid growth and expansion of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "looming subject" in a sentence?

You can use "looming subject" to describe a topic that is about to become very important or problematic. For example, "The "looming subject" of climate change requires immediate action."

What's a good alternative to "looming subject"?

Alternatives include "impending matter", "emerging issue", or "approaching topic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looming subject" a formal expression?

"Looming subject" is suitable for formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and business communications. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

What makes a subject "looming"?

A subject is "looming" when it appears imminent and potentially significant, often carrying a sense of foreboding or anticipation of major consequences. It's not just important, but also close to becoming a reality.