What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subject
Example
I'm interested in studying the subject of psychology. [subject: noun]
Example
The subject of today's lecture is the history of ancient Greece. [subject: noun]
Example
The scientist chose a group of subjects to participate in the study. [subjects: noun]
topic
Example
The topic of the essay is the effects of climate change on marine life. [topic: noun]
Example
Let's discuss the topic of diversity in the workplace. [topic: noun]
Example
The speaker introduced the topic of artificial intelligence in his presentation. [topic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Topic is more commonly used than subject in everyday language. Topic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subject is more technical and specific to academic or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subject and topic?
Subject is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, while topic can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
