overview of the topic

USAGE SUMMARY

"overview of the topic" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when a writer wants to give a brief summary of a subject or topic. For example, "This article provides an overview of the topic of drug addiction in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The BBC offers an overview of the topic, which starts by getting students to describe the GM process, and ends exploring some of the ethical issues around it.

The Guardian

Kosmix has developed software that matches searches with the databases most likely to yield relevant information, then returns an overview of the topic drawn from multiple sources.

The New York Times - Tech

Joseph, a leading figure in the new black power studies, makes the case for its singularity in the most comprehensive overview of the topic published to date.

The Guardian - Books

This chapter gives a brief overview of the topic so that readers might have a rudimental understanding of it.

Porous Materials Processing and Applications

In this overview of the topic, catalysis with metal membrane reactors is reviewed along with an assessment of what still needs to be done.

Catalysis Today

Since the teacher is seen as the "producer" of information, s/he can present an overview of the topic and provide depth with new examples.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

This feature is intended to provide an overview of the topics covered during the year.

Sealing Technology

It provides an overview of the topics of siting, layout, area classification, and fireproofing.

Process Risk and Reliability Management Operational Integrity Management

This text gives an overview of the topics discussed on the page.

Yale University

We dedicated a week each to chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science, offering an overview of the topics students would encounter in their first few years of college.

MIT Technology Review

This paper tries to provide a general overview of the topics in distributed object systems, focusing on CORBA aspects that are critical for control systems engineering.

Annual Reviews in Control

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overview of the topic", ensure that the scope of the overview is clear to the reader. Specify whether it's a brief summary, a comprehensive analysis, or something in between.

Common error

Avoid using "overview of the topic" without providing any actual overview. Readers need substantive information, not just a label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overview of the topic" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies the action of summarizing or providing a general understanding of something. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

Academia

23%

News & Media

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overview of the topic" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase across various domains, including science, academia, and news media. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for written English when introducing a summary or general understanding of a subject. While versatile, ensuring the scope of the overview is evident to the reader is important. Alternatives include "summary of the subject" and "introduction to the theme". Its pervasive use makes it a reliable choice for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

summary of the subject

Replaces "overview" with "summary" and "topic" with "subject", emphasizing a concise recap rather than a broad survey.

outline of the subject matter

Substitutes "overview" with "outline" and "topic" with "subject matter", suggesting a structured and organized presentation of key points.

briefing on the subject

Replaces "overview" with "briefing", implying a concise and informative presentation, often for a specific purpose.

introduction to the theme

Replaces "overview" with "introduction" and "topic" with "theme", focusing on an initial presentation of a central idea.

background on the issue

Substitutes "overview" with "background" and "topic" with "issue", emphasizing the context and circumstances surrounding a particular matter.

synopsis of the theme

Replaces "overview" with "synopsis" and "topic" with "theme", indicating a condensed summary of the main points.

general survey of the area

Substitutes "overview" with "general survey" and "topic" with "area", suggesting a broad examination of a particular field or domain.

basic understanding of the material

Replaces "overview" with "basic understanding" and "topic" with "material", emphasizing a fundamental grasp of the subject matter.

preliminary examination of the matter

Substitutes "overview" with "preliminary examination" and "topic" with "matter", suggesting an initial investigation of a subject.

initial presentation of the subject

Replaces "overview" with "initial presentation" and "topic" with "subject", emphasizing a starting point to begin with.

FAQs

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

You can use "overview of the topic" to introduce a summary or general explanation of a subject. For example, "This paper provides an overview of the topic of climate change."

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

You can use alternatives like "summary of the subject", "outline of the subject matter", or "introduction to the theme" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "overview on the topic" or "overview of the topic"?

The correct and more common phrase is "overview of the topic". The preposition "of" indicates that the overview pertains to the topic.

What does it mean to provide an "overview of the topic"?

Providing an "overview of the topic" means presenting a general summary or survey of the main points and ideas related to a specific subject, often as an introduction or starting point.