small topics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small topics" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to minor or less significant subjects in a discussion or conversation. Example: "During the meeting, we covered several small topics before moving on to the main agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But as Fluke points out, the issues will go far beyond corporate personhood, insurance requirements and the healthcare law – no small topics of debate themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Students often gave short talks in his class, developing small topics and presenting them to the other students.

Science Magazine

In LBL, lectures break down the difficult subjects of neurology into small topics, logically organize them in a relatively clear hierarchy, and present them systematically.

BMC Medical Education

Small talk is supposed to be about small topics.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

No small topic there.

The Guardian - Books

Human tragedy is no small topic to take on".

The Guardian - Arts

When a small topic becomes the focus for a large amount of opinion-expressing, outrage, debate and controversy, that's because people are enjoying themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

From the small, topic-specific conference, I was able to make and renew a number of contacts in my field with professors on the cutting edge of research.

Science Magazine

It can be argued that the choice of T is ultimately an arbitrary one driven by the research questions and the intended use of the resulting topic model; small topic numbers will result in semantically broad topics, with increasing topic numbers, those broader topics will be split in semantically more refined topics.

Forest Ecosystems

The director told Vulture that male studio executives told her anorexia was "such a small topic," requiring three female producers to get it made.

Huffington Post

The threat of recession "is a terrible distraction to everyone," as Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Senator John McCain's economic adviser, said, because it moves the debate away from globalization, energy policy and climate change, and onto smaller topics like one-time tax rebates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a presentation, start with "small topics" to ease the audience in before diving into complex issues.

Common error

In academic or professional contexts, overuse of "small topics" can make your analysis appear superficial. Opt for more precise language like "minor themes" or "specific issues" to add depth to your discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small topics" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "topics". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small topics" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote subjects that are minor, less significant, or limited in scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and applicable in various contexts, with a neutral register. While versatile, it's advisable to use precise alternatives like "minor issues" or "specific themes" in formal or academic writing for enhanced clarity. Best practice involves strategically introducing "small topics" to set the stage for more complex discussions, while avoiding its overuse to prevent superficiality. The phrase is observed across diverse domains, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor subjects

Replaces "topics" with a synonym that emphasizes the limited importance of the subjects.

less important matters

Substitutes both "small" and "topics" with phrases that highlight the reduced significance of the subjects.

insignificant issues

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the subjects under discussion.

limited subjects

Focuses on the narrow scope or extent of the topics.

narrow subjects

Highlights the restricted focus of the topics.

petty issues

Emphasizes the trivial nature of the issues.

trivial subjects

Uses an adjective that directly indicates the unimportance of the topics.

minor points

Shifts the focus to specific points within a discussion that are not central.

secondary themes

Implies that these topics are of supporting, rather than primary, importance.

smaller items

Replaces "topics" with "items" and "small" to "smaller" which refers to particular things to discuss or process that are diminutive and likely less important.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "small topics"?

Alternatives include "minor subjects", "insignificant issues", or "trivial subjects", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "small topics" in a sentence?

You might say, "The agenda included several "small topics" before addressing the primary concerns" or "We began by discussing "small topics" to break the ice before the main presentation".

Is it better to address "small topics" before or after the main discussion?

It depends on the context. Sometimes addressing "minor issues" first can help set the stage, while other times it's better to focus on the most important things first.

What's the difference between "small topics" and "minor issues"?

"Small topics" generally refers to the scope or scale of the subject matter, while "minor issues" often implies that the subjects are less important or consequential.