move on to another topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move on to another topic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when transitioning from one subject to a different one in a conversation or written piece. Example: "After discussing the budget for the upcoming project, let's move on to another topic: marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The best way to recover is to laugh at yourself (even if no one else did) and move on to another topic or subject.

WikiHow

He took the compliment, though talk of his appearance always made him desperate to move on to another topic.

The New Yorker

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Jim, I -- you may want to move on to another topic, but I would just say this to the American people.

The New York Times

By this point, Mr. Pressman, looking a bit like an exasperated viewer at a tennis match, urged his guests to move on to another topic.

The New York Times

Winley later apologized, saying in a statement: "In my judgment, given the tone of the interview, I should have asked Mike to move on to another topic, instead of instructing Darrelle to hang up the phone.

The New York Times

"Jim — I — you may want to move on to another topic," Obama declared after twenty-one consecutive minutes of dense, mostly opaque exchanges about tax policy at the start of the debate.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Then she moved on to another topic, fluidly.

The New York Times

The meeting then moved on to another topic.

The New York Times

After they moved on to another topic, a sweaty man in the balcony began shouting about the closure of St . Vincents Hospital.

The New Yorker

They convey that the document has moved on to another topic, but little else.

Science Magazine

The panel moved on to another topic.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move on to another topic" to smoothly transition between subjects in a conversation or presentation. It signals a clear shift without abruptly ending the previous discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "move on to another topic" too abruptly. Provide a brief summary or closing statement for the current topic before transitioning to maintain a smooth flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move on to another topic" functions primarily as a transitional phrase. It's used to indicate a shift in the discussion or subject matter. As Ludwig suggests, this phrase is acceptable and can be used effectively to guide the conversation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move on to another topic" is a useful transitional phrase for signaling a shift in conversation or subject matter. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, noting its acceptability in English writing. While it's a common phrase, particularly in news and media contexts, careful attention should be paid to the tone and abruptness of its use. Alternative phrases like ""change the subject"" or "transition to a different subject" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and politeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

change the subject

Replaces "move on" with a more direct command to change the subject.

transition to a different subject

Replaces "move on" with a more formal "transition" and "topic" with "subject".

shift the focus

Changes the emphasis from changing topics to shifting focus.

let's discuss something else

Offers a direct suggestion to discuss something different.

turn to another matter

Uses "matter" instead of "topic" and offers a slightly more formal tone.

divert the conversation

Focuses on redirecting the flow of conversation.

switch gears

Uses a metaphorical expression for changing topics.

proceed to the next item

Suitable for structured discussions or meetings.

leave that behind us

Suggests putting a subject behind and moving forward.

table this discussion

Suggests postponing the discussion for a later time.

FAQs

How can I politely "move on to another topic"?

You can use phrases like "That's an interesting point, but let's "change the subject"" or "Before we get too far into that, perhaps we should "divert the conversation" to something else?".

What are some alternatives to "move on to another topic"?

Alternatives include ""change the subject"", "shift the focus", or "transition to a different subject", depending on the context.

Is it rude to say "move on to another topic"?

It depends on the context and tone. It can be perceived as abrupt if not used carefully. Adding a polite buffer, like "Perhaps we should transition to a different subject now", can soften the statement.

When is it appropriate to use "move on to another topic"?

It's appropriate when a topic has been sufficiently discussed, when the conversation is becoming unproductive, or when time constraints require a shift the focus.