the theme at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the theme at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific topic or subject that is currently being addressed or considered in a conversation or text. Example: "In our discussion about climate change, the theme at hand is the impact of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The strands stretch out above you, like a tented roof, and connect to two sets of headphones that emit a multi-layered sound piece, which combines musical tracks with recorded conversations on the theme at hand.

Vice

Krause's work is accompanied by a varied collection of works that round out the theme at hand, including a mural by Cai Guo-Qiang that evokes cave paintings of animals, videos of birds-of-paradise filmed in New Guinea by researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and another audiovisual installation that incorporates Christian Sardet's mesmerizing images of plankton.

Vice

These thoughts tend to be repetitive and focused just on the theme at hand.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Secondly, the presentation held by futures experts before the work begins, called generically "Futures provocation", offers an intense introduction to alternative futures thinking and the specific theme at hand.

European Journal of Futures Research

You probably didn't log on to this website to read about yoga, but trust me, there's a connection between the subject at hand, and the theme of this blog, and that, in fact, is the point of this post, and the point of Yoga: Connection.

Huffington Post

When taking in the whole room with an initial glance, the aforementioned themes at hand aren't necessarily intuitive.

Vice

Despite the different themes at hand, both video pieces have an inherent stillness in them; the characters and landscapes barely move, often with an air of heavy contemplation.

Vice

In the "Air of the Grand Master," she shared the work's graceful melody with Mr. Flowers (who played it with a muted sound and alluring vibrato) and in "Air of the Head Prior," she handed him the theme at the start, focusing instead on an expansion of Satie's harmonies.

The New York Times - Arts

Because of the looseness of its anniversary theme — or, perhaps, the nature of the Tanglewood Music Center itself — the festival escaped the biggest danger of theme-driven programming: becoming prisoner to the topic at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

But Bradvines ignored the subject at hand.

The Economist

Anyway, the topic at hand is apathy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the theme at hand", ensure the context clearly establishes the subject being referenced. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient background information or directly stating the theme earlier in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "the theme at hand" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "the topic" or "what we're talking about" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the theme at hand" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies the specific topic, subject, or idea that is being currently discussed or considered. According to Ludwig AI, it's a usable and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

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 theme at hand" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the current topic or subject under consideration. Although it is a correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its relative infrequency suggests that simpler alternatives may be preferable in everyday contexts. Predominantly found in news articles, wikis, and scientific writing, "the theme at hand" serves to focus attention and clarify the subject of discussion. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context is clear, and avoid overuse in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the current topic

Replaces 'theme' with 'topic' and 'at hand' with 'current' to emphasize the present focus of discussion.

the subject under discussion

Uses 'subject' instead of 'theme' and specifies that it is actively being discussed.

the matter being considered

Substitutes 'theme' with 'matter' and uses a passive construction to highlight the act of consideration.

the issue in question

Employs 'issue' as a replacement for 'theme' and 'in question' to indicate a debated or uncertain point.

the point at issue

Focuses on the specific point of contention or discussion.

the present subject

Replaces 'theme' with 'subject' and uses 'present' to stress the immediacy of the topic.

the agenda item

Refers to a specific item on a planned list of topics, often in a formal setting.

the topic in focus

Highlights the focus or emphasis on a particular topic.

the central idea

Emphasizes the main or most important concept being discussed.

the focal point

Indicates the main point of interest or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "the theme at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "the theme at hand" to refer to the current topic of discussion or the main subject being considered. For example, "In this meeting, "the theme at hand" is budget allocation."

What are some alternatives to "the theme at hand"?

Some alternatives include "the current topic", "the subject under discussion", or "the issue in question". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "the theme at hand" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "the theme at hand" might sound a bit formal for casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "the topic" or "what we're talking about" are often more suitable.

What's the difference between "the theme at hand" and "the topic at hand"?

The phrases are very similar and often interchangeable. "Theme" might suggest a broader or more underlying subject, while "topic" is generally more specific. However, in most contexts, using either phrase will be understood.