subject is about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subject is about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to indicate the main topic or theme of a discussion or text, but it should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "The subject is about the impact of climate change on agriculture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For me the subject is about fostering community cohesion.

The Guardian

"Every other subject is about something.

The New Yorker

In essence, 'Absence of Subject' is about that lack".

The New Yorker

The longer I look at the picture, the more I feel that its subject is about to burst into tears.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, the picture is so alive it looks as if the subject is about to step from the canvas and walk across the room.

The New York Times - Arts

And one which is inducing polite scepticism from many neuroscientists who are not part of the charmed circle, and who fear their subject is about to be sacrificed to a juggernaut.Such scepticism is reasonable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For the results reported here, the total testing time for each subject was about 60 h, typically divided into 40 sessions, each 90 min in duration.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Most available researches on this subject were about lateral spacing or were performed in micro-gravity.

Combustion and Flame

His views and Rushdoony's on this subject are about the same.

Huffington Post

Last week's subject was about the idea of being in the right place at the right time.

Huffington Post

Claudia's favorite subject was about American life in USA and American guys and Friday nights she use to go dancing and dating with American guys.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clearer and more grammatically sound writing, replace the phrase "subject is about" with alternatives such as "the subject concerns" or "the topic is regarding".

Common error

Many writers use "is about" casually, but it often leads to clunky or grammatically questionable sentences. Instead, aim for more precise verbs that directly link the subject to its essence. For instance, instead of 'The book is about love', try 'The book explores love'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject is about" typically functions as a way to introduce or define the topic under consideration. However, Ludwig AI notes it is not considered standard written English. It's often used to indicate the main theme of a discussion or text.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "subject is about" is used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and wikis, it's deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. To enhance clarity and correctness, consider alternatives such as "the subject concerns" or "the topic is regarding". This improves both the formality and precision of your writing. When writing, remember to avoid the "is about" trap by selecting more precise verbs that directly link the subject to its essence. By choosing stronger alternatives, you can present your ideas with greater confidence and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subject concerns

Replaces "is about" with "concerns" for a more formal and grammatically sound expression.

the subject matter is

Introduces "matter" for specificity, enhancing clarity and grammatical correctness.

the topic is regarding

Uses "regarding" to specify the focus of the topic.

the issue at hand involves

Shifts focus to the "issue at hand" for a more emphatic statement.

the discussion revolves around

Emphasizes the central theme of the discussion.

this pertains to

Uses a more formal "pertains to" to indicate relevance.

it is concerned with

Replaces the subject noun construction with the impersonal 'it'.

this relates to

Offers a simple and direct way to connect the subject to something else.

the focus is on

Highlights the main point of attention.

it's all about

Uses a more informal expression to describe the main idea.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "Subject is about" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, substitute "Subject is about" with phrases such as "The subject concerns", "The topic is regarding", or "This pertains to". These alternatives offer greater precision and grammatical correctness.

Is it grammatically correct to use "Subject is about" in academic writing?

While sometimes used, "Subject is about" is generally considered grammatically weak for academic writing. More suitable options include "The research focuses on", "The study investigates", or "This paper examines".

What are some simple alternatives to "Subject is about" for everyday conversation?

In casual conversation, you can replace "Subject is about" with simpler phrases like "It's about", "It concerns", or "It involves". For example, instead of "The movie is about friendship", you could say "It's about friendship".

What's the difference between "The subject concerns" and "Subject is about"?

"The subject concerns" is a more grammatically correct and formal way of saying what a topic deals with. "Subject is about" while understandable, is considered less polished and can often be improved by using stronger verb choices.