on what subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the topic or theme of a discussion, question, or piece of writing. Example: "Could you clarify on what subject you would like me to focus my research?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Crucially, it can depend on what subject you studied as to how successful you will be in finding employment after graduation.

Independent

Decide on what subject to carve.

WikiHow

These will be different depending on what subject you are doing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But on what subjects?

Forbes

Why does The Times do this and, statistically, on what subjects or political leanings?

The New York Times

But how many letters he has sent, on what subjects and, crucially, whether ministers acceded to his lobbying, has been largely a mystery.

The Guardian

It started in April 2005 with a simple one-line email from the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger: could we submit freedom of information requests to ministers to see what letters they have received, and on what subjects, from Prince Charles?

The Guardian

Shot in sharp, clear high-definition video by Michael Simmonds, the movie seamlessly shifts between casual in situ interviews and fly-on-the-wall visuals that often shed complicating light on what subjects say when they're looking into a camera.

The New York Times

The officials also said Captain Yee might have had messages from detainees, as well as notes about which detainees had been questioned by which investigators and on what subjects.

The New York Times

Officials have said that Captain Yee was found with maps of the prison area as well as notes detailing which prisoners were interviewed by which interrogators and on what subjects.

The New York Times

A statement from the Met said: "The conferring warning is a warning given to officers reminding them they should not confer and if they do so they have to write down where, with whom, why, and on what subjects they conferred.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on what subject", ensure the context is clear and the phrase fits the overall tone. It's often used in formal inquiries or discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "on what subject" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "what's it about?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what subject" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase used to inquire about the topic or theme of a discussion, research, or piece of writing. Ludwig AI validates the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on what subject" serves as a grammatically sound and usable interrogative to inquire about a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, wiki, and science contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral tone. While correct, it's important to consider the context and choose a simpler alternative for informal conversations. Remember to check your tone and register to make your writing more persuasive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on which topic

A more concise and grammatically standard phrasing of the original query.

regarding what topic

Replaces "on what subject" with a more formal phrasing, emphasizing the topic under discussion.

about which topic

Similar to "regarding what topic", but slightly less formal.

concerning what matter

Emphasizes the importance of the subject, suggesting a matter of some consequence.

pertaining to what

Introduces a formal and somewhat indirect way of asking about the subject.

what subject concerning

Inverts the structure for emphasis.

what's the subject

Simplifies the question to a more direct and informal inquiry.

what field concerning

Highlights a specific field of study or expertise.

what area concerning

Highlights a specific area and ask what the subject is concerning.

in what area

Broadens the scope to an area of study or interest.

FAQs

How can I use "on what subject" in a sentence?

You can use "on what subject" to inquire about a particular topic. For example: "Could you elaborate "on what subject" the meeting will focus on?"

What can I say instead of "on what subject"?

You can use alternatives like "about which topic", "regarding what topic", or "concerning what matter" depending on the context.

Is it too formal to use "on what subject" in everyday conversation?

Yes, "on what subject" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using simpler phrases like "what's it about?" or "what are we talking about?"

Which is more appropriate, "on what subject" or "about what subject"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""on what subject"" is generally considered more formal than "about what subject".