on the topic of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the topic of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a subject or topic. For example, "I'd like to discuss my thoughts on the topic of environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Dave (bookseller) recommends: "The first philosopher to take on the topic of Gangnam Style".

The Guardian - Books

Others found Schultz's call for "one voice" on the topic of race condescending.

The Guardian - Business

Still, in our experience with the surrogacy industry, no one lingered on the topic of money.

The New York Times - Magazine

While we're on the topic of good designs, this one from Dorrarium is an instant classic.

Vice

A: Only on the topic of Christmas.

The New York Times

On the topic of Parisian massacres, consider this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Creative work on the topic of austerity and student protest.

The Guardian

On the topic of political interference, banks can shut up.

The Guardian - Opinion

She consults on the topic of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The New York Times

He was most animated on the topic of disaffected Catholics.

The New York Times

"It's something that people investigate on the topic of pheromones.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the topic of" to clearly signal a shift in subject matter, especially when transitioning between different ideas within a larger discussion.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "on the topic of" in informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "about" or "regarding" may be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the topic of" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves to introduce or transition to a specific subject or theme in a conversation or written text. It sets the stage for further discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the topic of" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a subject, transition to a related subject, or indicate the focus of a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is a commonly used phrase, particularly in news and media, and possesses a neutral to professional register. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "about" may suffice. Remember that its primary function is to set the stage for a discussion about a specific theme or subject, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the subject of

Replaces "topic" with "subject", suggesting a more general area of discussion.

concerning the matter of

Uses "matter" instead of "topic", implying a specific issue or situation is being addressed.

with respect to the issue of

Emphasizes the "issue" being discussed, adding a layer of formality.

in relation to the question of

Highlights a specific "question" that is being considered.

pertaining to the theme of

Focuses on an overarching "theme", suggesting a broader, more conceptual discussion.

in connection with the area of

Implies a link or association to a specific "area" or field.

when it comes to the field of

A more conversational way to introduce a specific area under discussion.

talking about

Simplifies the phrase to a more informal expression, focusing on the act of discussion.

as regards

A concise and slightly formal way to introduce a topic.

apropos of

A more literary and formal way to say "concerning" or "regarding".

FAQs

How can I use "on the topic of" in a sentence?

You can use "on the topic of" to introduce a new subject or to indicate that you are about to discuss something related to the current conversation. For example, "On the topic of environmental issues, what are your thoughts on recycling?"

What are some alternatives to "on the topic of"?

Some alternatives to "on the topic of" include "regarding the subject of", "concerning the matter of", or simply "about" depending on the context.

Is "on the topic of" formal or informal?

"On the topic of" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for both written and spoken communication. However, it might sound overly formal in very casual settings.

When is it best to use "on the topic of" instead of "about"?

Use "on the topic of" when you want to explicitly signal a shift in the conversation or when you want to emphasize the subject matter being discussed. "About" is a more general and less emphatic alternative.