master subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "master subject" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you refer to a primary or main topic of study or focus. For example, "Her master subject in the program was environmental science." Alternative expressions include "primary subject" and "main subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This virtual laboratory has been used by students of the postgraduate master subject on Biomass for Power Generation, belonging to the Master of Distributed Renewable Energy.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Correspondingly, Control-Value Theory of achievement emotions (e.g., Pekrun et al. 2007) posits that students enjoy learning when they are confident to master subject matter while they attribute intrinsic and/or extrinsic value to the tasks, materials and contents at hand.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Perhaps it descended from the common Old Master subject of Susanna at her bath, secretly being ogled by old men.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Stanford scientists said they were focused on going beyond early Internet education efforts, which frequently involved uploading online videos of lectures given by professors and did little to motivate students to do the coursework required to master subjects.

The New York Times - Science

Despite the effort involved in organizing and adding a service-learning component to an undergraduate science course, our study suggests that partnering with local schools to provide teaching opportunities for undergraduates will have cognitive benefits and allow non science major students to master subjects beyond their primary interests.

CBE Life Sciences Education

But some education deans, like Alfred S. Posamentier of the School of Education at the City College of New York, say understanding pedagogy is as important as mastering subject matter.

The New York Times

She's almost mastered subject, object and possessive pronouns.

Huffington Post

Of course we need minimum competency exams like the Regents to ensure that students have mastered subject areas, but our over-reliance on multiple-choice exams has opened things up to scandals like these and also, I believe, leads to a shallow kind of education.

Huffington Post

"Freedom!" bellowed Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show," in a segment in which people described their relationship to AT&T as that of slaves to their masters, subjects to their tyrants.

The New York Times

To the contrary: He has said that his system and others should replace the main SAT exam, which was designed to measure math and verbal reasoning ability, with other exams intended to gauge whether students have mastered subjects like chemistry and history.

The New York Times

Their entire education had been about mastering subjects determined by someone else.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific course or area of study, use "master subject" to clearly indicate the main focus of learning. For example: "Her "master subject" for the degree was astrophysics."

Common error

Avoid using "master subject" interchangeably with terms like "favorite subject" or "easy subject". "Master subject" implies expertise and dedication, not preference or ease of learning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "master subject" functions primarily as a noun phrase often used after a verb of action or being. It describes a field or area of study someone has acquired expertise in. Ludwig AI validates that the sentence is used in different areas, as detailed in the Ludwig AI's summary.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "master subject" is a phrase used to describe a primary area of expertise or focus within a field of study. While grammatically sound, its occurrence is relatively rare. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news and media. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When writing, be mindful of the nuance of "master subject" and use it to accurately convey expertise rather than general interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain mastery of a subject

Focuses on achieving a high level of skill or knowledge.

achieve command of a subject

Conveys a sense of complete control and understanding.

become proficient in a subject

Emphasizes the process of gaining expertise rather than simply having it.

excel in a subject

Focuses on performing exceptionally well in a subject.

develop expertise in a field

Broader term referring to a specific area of study or activity.

become well-versed in a subject

Suggests extensive knowledge and familiarity.

attain competence in a discipline

Highlights reaching a satisfactory level of skill.

acquire a solid grasp of a topic

Implies a thorough understanding but not necessarily mastery.

conquer a subject

Implies overcoming difficulties to master the subject.

get the hang of a subject

An informal way to say become skilled or knowledgeable in the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "master subject" to indicate the primary area of expertise or focus in a specific context. For example, "His "master subject" during his PhD was quantum physics."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "primary subject", "main subject", or "area of expertise".

Is it correct to say "master in subject"?

While grammatically understandable, "master subject" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. Saying "master in subject" can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "master subject" and "area of study"?

"Master subject" implies a level of expertise or focus, while "area of study" simply refers to the general field being studied. You might have an "area of study" like biology, and a "master subject" within that like genetics.