subjective

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'subjective' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that describes a personal opinion or judgement based on feelings or preferences. Example sentence: My choice in music is quite subjective, as I tend to prefer tunes that are low-key and relaxed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ofqual said: "We also plan to overhaul the inquiries about results system in future, so that it can better distinguish between marking errors and differences of opinion between equally skilled professionals, particularly in those subjects where more subjective judgments of the quality of student work are necessary.

The Guardian

Auditors should subject balance-sheets to a yearly impairment test, but valuations are subjective and executives can twist their arms.

The Economist

Perfect seasoning seems impossible when taste is so subjective, but universals still exist.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Figures are usually based on impressionistic and subjective questionnaires rather than rigorous clinical evidence or diagnosis.

The Guardian

Before we get to subjective matters of taste, let's pause to reflect on what Daft Punk objectively achieved this year.

The Guardian - Music

It has all the benefits of dynamic typing (and the drawbacks) and removes a lot of the bloat that comes with Python – of course this is an entirely subjective opinion.

The Guardian

The judgment behind my word choices in The Cherry Orchard is entirely subjective and based on no linguistic consideration of original Russian syntax or grammar.

The Guardian

The subjective decisions the writers make ease the jaggedness and vitality of the original plays, he argues.

The Guardian

This is all the more surprising, perhaps, since by most of wellbeing's subjective metrics – "how happy did you feel yesterday?"; "how satisfied are you with your life?" – the contentment of the country has shown small but incremental improvement in those years.

The Guardian

But Jamie Stewart, Scotland director for the Countryside Alliance, disputed the nature of the footage, telling the Guardian: "Having viewed the footage, I am appalled that the League Against Cruel Sports is wasting the Scottish government's time with what is at best subjective and at worst contrived".

The Guardian

Allowing institutions to make subjective judgements on the basis of an individual's context won't make the system any better.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "subjective" with its counterpart "objective" to highlight the contrast between personal opinion and factual evidence.

Common error

Don't assume that something "subjective" is necessarily trivial. Personal opinions and interpretations can be crucial in fields like art, ethics, and personal relationships.

Linguistic Context

The word "subjective" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions, rather than external facts or objective reality. As shown in Ludwig AI, this makes it a valuable descriptor in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "subjective" is a versatile adjective, frequently used to describe perspectives rooted in personal feelings or opinions, as highlighted by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, understanding its nuances and potential for misuse is crucial. Remember to clarify whose perspective is being referenced and avoid equating "subjective" with unimportance. As Ludwig AI confirms, "subjective" is an adjective that describes a personal opinion or judgement based on feelings or preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in my opinion

Directly attributes the statement to a personal belief.

from my perspective

Explicitly states that the view is unique to the speaker's position.

personally biased

Emphasizes the influence of personal bias on a viewpoint.

as I see it

Implies a personal assessment of a situation.

colored by opinion

Highlights how opinions can influence or distort perceptions.

influenced by feeling

Indicates that emotions play a significant role in shaping an opinion.

based on interpretation

Focuses on how individual interpretations lead to varying perspectives.

according to my understanding

Emphasizes personal comprehension and knowledge of the situation.

open to debate

Suggests that the matter is not definitively proven and allows for varying viewpoints.

a matter of taste

Highlights the role of personal preference, making it difficult to find consensus.

FAQs

How can I use "subjective" in a sentence?

You can use "subjective" to describe something based on personal feelings or opinions rather than facts, for example: "The evaluation of the artwork was highly subjective."

What is a synonym for "subjective"?

Synonyms for "subjective" include "personal", "biased", or "individual", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "subjective" and objective?

"Subjective" refers to personal opinions and feelings, while "objective" refers to facts and verifiable information.

Is it better to be subjective or objective?

Neither is inherently better; it depends on the context. Being objective is crucial in science and reporting, while being subjective is natural in art and personal preferences.