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topic

A2
UK/ˈtɒp.ɪk/US/ˈtɑː.pɪk/

Neutral to formal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A subject that is discussed, written about, or studied.

A theme or issue forming the basis of a conversation, text, or area of inquiry; a category in classification or discussion.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Can refer to both the general subject of discourse and specific points within that subject. In logic/philosophy, can refer to a general argumentative pattern.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minor. Slight preference for 'topic' over 'subject' in UK academic contexts. In US, 'topic sentence' is more consistently used in writing pedagogy.

Connotations

UK: Slightly more formal/academic. US: Slightly more versatile across registers.

Frequency

Very high frequency in both varieties; slightly higher in US English in conversational contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
main topichot topictopic of conversationspecific topicbroad topic
medium
raise a topicchange the topictopic areacover a topicdebate a topic
weak
interesting topicdifficult topicdiscuss a topicchoose a topicsensitive topic

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Verb] + topic: discuss/raise/cover/change/avoid + topic[Adjective] + topic: main/hot/specific/broad/sensitive + topic

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

matterpointquestion

Neutral

subjectthemeissue

Weak

focusconcernagenda item

Vocabulary

Antonyms

tangentdigression

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “off-topic”
  • “on topic”
  • “a topic of conversation”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

The main topic of today's meeting is the Q3 budget.

Academic

Her research topic explores medieval trade routes.

Everyday

Let's change the topic; this is getting depressing.

Technical

In Kafka, a topic is a category/feed name to which messages are published.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • Our topic in class today is animals.
  • What is your favourite topic to talk about?
B1
  • The main topic of the article is climate change.
  • We need to stick to the topic during the debate.
B2
  • She expertly steered the conversation back to the original topic.
  • The conference will cover a wide range of topics from AI ethics to sustainable design.
C1
  • His thesis deftly narrows a broad philosophical topic into a manageable inquiry.
  • The interviewer skillfully broached the sensitive topic of the company's recent losses.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a TOPIC as the TOP ICeberg of a conversation – it's the main visible part you discuss, with more details hidden below.

Conceptual Metaphor

IDEAS ARE OBJECTS / CONVERSATION IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'stay on topic', 'drift off topic').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid translating 'topic' as 'тема' in all contexts. In academic writing, 'subject' or 'theme' may be more precise. 'Topic' is often more specific than 'тема'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'theme' and 'topic' interchangeably (theme is often broader/more abstract).
  • Incorrect: 'The topic about politics' (Correct: 'The topic of politics').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Politics can be a difficult to discuss at family dinners.
Multiple Choice

Which word is NOT typically a strong synonym for 'topic' in formal writing?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

'Topic' is often a specific aspect within a broader 'subject'. History is a subject; the causes of WWI is a topic within it.

No, 'topic' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'to topicalize' in linguistics, not in general use.

It's neutral and acceptable in both informal and formal contexts (e.g., 'Your comment is off-topic').

In composition, it's the sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph, to which all other sentences relate.

Explore

Related Words

affairargumentbusinesscasefieldissuematerialmatterpointproblempropositionquestionsubjecttheme