major in that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major in that" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to indicate a strong focus or specialization in a particular area, but it is not widely recognized. Example: "I really want to major in that subject because it fascinates me."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Major in that.

The New York Times - Arts

When it comes to fighting something like the Anna Kournikova virus, he said, "Let somebody who really majors in that major in that".

The New York Times

"It's major in that everything needs to be removed, and it can be messy," said Elena Frampton, a partner in the interior design firm Curated, which has offices in New York and Los Angeles.

The New York Times

The exhibition, which will run until April 3, is called "You Can Major in That?" "It's a perfect title, because that's what everyone said when you told them you were a puppetry major," said Jan Stefura, a toy designer who studied with Mr. Ballard in the 1970's.

The New York Times

Despite the program's renown, however, its students have grown used to hearing astonished classmates ask, "You can major in that?" They can indeed, studying all aspects of the art form, from the making and manipulation of puppets, to playwriting, set and costume design, music and movement.

The New York Times

Asked if it plans to launch a more consumer-facing search service, with the help of its new funding round, Kagan told TechCrunch: "We definitely have something pretty major in that realm coming out in a few weeks".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Schools play a major part in that.

The Guardian

Electricity is unique among major commodities in that it must be produced and consumed simultaneously.

The New York Times

"However, London is obviously one of the most sophisticated and important markets in the world, and we are a major event in that major market.

The New York Times - Sports

The bullpen E.R.A. is 1.85 over the last 19 games, the lowest mark in the majors in that span.

The New York Times

But the Angels still drew fewer walks than the average team; the Yankees led the majors in that category.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to "specialize in that area" for increased clarity and formality.

Common error

Avoid using "major in that" when the specific subject or area is not clearly defined or understood by the audience. This can lead to confusion, as "that" is a pronoun that requires a clear referent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major in that" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a decision or action related to academic specialization. However, Ludwig indicates it is not a standard English expression and the pronoun "that" requires a clear referent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major in that" is a non-standard phrase that is infrequently used to indicate specializing in a previously mentioned subject. Ludwig's analysis suggests this phrase is more suitable for informal contexts. For increased clarity and formality, consider alternatives such as "specialize in that" or "focus on that". When using "major in that", ensure the referent of "that" is clear to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specialize in that

Replaces "major" with a more formal synonym, "specialize", indicating a focused area of study or expertise.

concentrate on that

Focuses on the aspect of concentrating efforts or attention on something, rather than formal study.

focus on that

Similar to concentrate, but slightly less intense, implying a general area of interest or activity.

dedicate oneself to that

Emphasizes commitment and effort towards a particular goal or field.

excel in that area

Highlights exceptional performance and skill in a specific domain.

be proficient in that

Indicates a high level of skill and competence in a particular subject or activity.

be skilled in that

Similar to proficient, but slightly less formal, suggesting a general level of expertise.

be adept at that

Emphasizes natural talent and quickness in learning or performing something.

be versed in that

Indicates a deep understanding and knowledge of a particular subject.

pursue that field of study

Replaces "major" with a more descriptive phrase that specifies the context as an area of academic pursuit.

FAQs

What does it mean to "major in that"?

While not standard phrasing, "major in that" colloquially means to specialize or focus your studies in a specific field already mentioned in the conversation. A more formal way to express this is to "specialize in that".

Is it grammatically correct to say "major in that"?

The phrase is not considered standard English and can sound awkward. It's generally better to say "major in [subject]" for clarity. However, it can be acceptable in informal contexts where the subject is implied.

What are some alternatives to "major in that"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "concentrate on that", "specialize in that", or "focus on that".

How can I use "major in that" correctly?

Use "major in that" only when the specific subject or field has already been clearly established in the conversation. For example, if you're discussing computer science, you could say, "I decided to major in that" if it's clear you are referring to computer science.